Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Alone and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Philippines, Police Say.
The two suspected gunmen responsible for the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, as stated by national law enforcement.
Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing 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 Trip
Investigators assert the pair did not receive any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Early findings from local officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The incident—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the material," she said, explaining that preliminary reviews indicate that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian investigators.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to indicate these suspects were part of a wider organization, or were instructed by overseas entities to execute an act of violence," the police chief said.
Yet, the duo were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She underscored that, since the investigation is continuing, additional details may come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it appears both accused gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly shot attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. Historically, Militant fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
