Suspected Bondi Gunmen Acted Independently and Received No Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the lethal shooting at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, per Australian law enforcement.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the main city Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Visit
Investigators indicate the pair did not undergo any type of attack-related training or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Early investigations from local authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the footage," she stated, explaining that preliminary reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material showing the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were members of a larger terrorist cell, or were instructed by overseas entities to perpetrate an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett emphasized.
But, the men were likewise not in the Philippines for tourism, she noted. She underscored that, since the probe is continuing, fresh information might surface.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both accused gunmen were "inspired by Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly opened fire on participants at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Information
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. The region is known because, Militant groups have reportedly be active in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
