Accused Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Solo and Received No Preparation in the Philippines, Police State.
The two suspected gunmen who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, according to Australian law enforcement.
Investigators additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included landing in the capital Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Police assert the duo did not receive any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.
"We are currently analyzing the footage," the commissioner stated, adding that initial reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic investigators.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were members of a larger organization, or were instructed by overseas entities to carry out an act of violence," she emphasized.
But, the duo were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, she clarified. She stressed that, as the probe is ongoing, fresh information could surface.
Inspiration and Legal Charges
In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—allegedly opened fire on participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the wake following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. Historically, Islamist groups have reportedly operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.