Suspected Bondi Beach Shooters Acted Independently and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The two alleged gunmen responsible for the fatal shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, per national authorities.
Investigators also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Trip
Investigators indicate the pair did not partake in any form of terrorist training or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Early findings from local authorities suggest they "rarely left" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the material," the commissioner stated, adding that early assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were members of a larger terrorist cell, or were directed by overseas entities to perpetrate an attack," the police chief said.
Yet, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, she added. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is ongoing, fresh information could surface.
Motivation and Legal Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it appears both accused gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—allegedly targeted attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the metropolis 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' largest southern island. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
