Suspected Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Alone and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, according to national police.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the capital Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Police assert the pair did not receive any type of terrorist training or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial findings from local officials point to they "rarely left" their hotel.
The shooting—declared Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.
"We are actively analyzing the footage," she said, explaining that preliminary evaluations suggest that "the two men are suspected to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that security camera video showing the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these accused individuals were part of a wider organization, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to perpetrate an act of violence," she said.
However, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines as tourists, she added. She stressed that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details may come to light.
Motivation and Court Charges
Previously, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both accused gunmen were "inspired by Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—are accused of having targeted guests at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the attack, border officials in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. It is noted that, Militant groups have been known to be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
