Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the fatal incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, per national law enforcement.
Police further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit
Authorities assert the individuals did not undergo any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local authorities indicate they "rarely left" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are currently analyzing the footage," the commissioner said, explaining that preliminary assessments indicate that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these alleged offenders were members of a larger organization, or were acting on orders from external parties to execute an incident," she stated.
However, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, the official noted. She underscored that, as the inquiry is still active, new evidence might come to light.
Motivation and Legal Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged attackers were "influenced by ISIS" extremist views.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having shot participants at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the wake following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Militant groups have been known to be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
