Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Solo and Received No Instruction in the Philippines, Authorities State.
The two alleged individuals responsible for the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per Australian police.
Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Visit
Investigators have stated the duo did not undergo any type of terrorist training or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from local officials indicate they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The shooting—described as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the footage," she stated, explaining that early assessments show that "the alleged offenders are believed to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to suggest these accused individuals were affiliated with a larger network, or were acting on orders from others to perpetrate an attack," she stated.
But, the duo were also not in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details might come to light.
Ideology and Court Charges
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it appears both accused attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—are accused of having shot attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had stated the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist groups have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
