Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Independently and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the fatal incident at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, per Australian law enforcement.
Police also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the capital Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Authorities have stated the individuals did not receive any form of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The shooting—described as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the footage," the commissioner stated, noting that early evaluations suggest that "the two men are believed to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"There is little to no indication to suggest these alleged offenders were affiliated with a broader network, or were acting on orders from others to execute an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett stated.
Yet, the pair were also not in the Philippines as tourists, she noted. She underscored that, as the probe is still active, fresh information could emerge.
Inspiration and Legal Charges
In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both accused attackers were "motivated by ISIS" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—allegedly opened fire on participants at the Jewish festival 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 carrying out a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the days following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. The region is known because, Militant groups have been known to be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
