Suspected Bondi Gunmen Operated Solo and Received No Instruction in the Philippines, Police State.
The two alleged gunmen who carried out the deadly incident at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, as stated by national law enforcement.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving 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 Preparation During Stay
Investigators assert the pair did not receive any type of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incident—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively analyzing the material," the commissioner said, noting that early evaluations indicate that "these individuals are alleged to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these suspects were members of a wider terrorist cell, or were directed by overseas entities to execute an act of violence," the police chief said.
But, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She stressed that, since the inquiry is ongoing, new evidence could emerge.
Ideology and Legal Charges
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both alleged gunmen were "influenced by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—allegedly shot participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist groups have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.