Suspected Bondi Shooters Operated Solo and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators State.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the lethal incident at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, according to Australian law enforcement.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Visit
Police have stated the pair did not partake in any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from local officials point to they "rarely left" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," the commissioner said, noting that preliminary assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to indicate these alleged offenders were part of a broader network, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to execute an act of violence," she said.
However, the pair were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett noted. She emphasized that, as the probe is continuing, additional details could come to light.
Motivation and Legal Charges
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese commented it appears both accused gunmen were "influenced by Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—allegedly opened fire on participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the attack, border officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have reportedly be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
