Accused Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Solo and Received No Training in the Philippines, Authorities State.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the lethal shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, per national law enforcement.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Preparation During Visit
Investigators indicate the individuals did not undergo any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Early findings from Philippine authorities indicate they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the footage," the commissioner stated, explaining that preliminary assessments suggest that "these individuals are suspected to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these accused individuals were part of a wider organization, or were directed by external parties to perpetrate an incident," she stated.
Yet, the pair were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett noted. She stressed that, given that the inquiry is still active, additional details might surface.
Ideology and Legal Charges
Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it appears both alleged attackers were "motivated by ISIS" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—are accused of having targeted guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Information
In the days following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines stated that the older suspect 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 final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. The region is known because, Islamist fighters have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
