Alleged Bondi Shooters Acted Independently and Received No Preparation in the Philippines, Police Say.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, per national police.
Police additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Visit
Authorities assert the pair did not partake in any form of attack-related coaching or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from local officials suggest they "rarely left" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively analyzing the footage," the commissioner said, adding that initial assessments show that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that security camera video showing the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these suspects were affiliated with a wider terrorist cell, or were directed by external parties to carry out an incident," the police chief stated.
However, the pair were likewise not in the Philippines as tourists, she noted. She underscored that, given that the inquiry is continuing, fresh information might surface.
Inspiration and Court Charges
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both alleged gunmen were "influenced by ISIS" extremist views.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the days following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. Historically, Militant fighters have been known to operate in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
