Accused Bondi Beach Shooters Acted Alone and Did Not Training in the Philippines, Investigators State.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the fatal shooting at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, per national police.
Police further stated 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 main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Authorities indicate the duo did not undergo any form of terrorist training or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively examining the evidence," she stated, noting that early assessments indicate that "the two men are suspected to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to suggest these accused individuals were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from external parties to execute an attack," the police chief stated.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, she added. She underscored that, given that the probe is continuing, new evidence might surface.
Motivation and Court Charges
Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. Historically, Islamist militants have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
