Alleged Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Alone and Did Not Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The two alleged attackers who carried out the fatal incident at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, per national police.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included 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 Training During Trip
Investigators indicate the pair did not partake in any form of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Early findings from local officials indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The shooting—described as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the evidence," the commissioner said, explaining that early reviews suggest that "the two men are suspected to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these suspects were members of a wider terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from external parties to carry out an incident," she emphasized.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett noted. She stressed that, since the inquiry is still active, new evidence might come to light.
Motivation and Legal Proceedings
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—allegedly shot participants at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the wake following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. It is noted that, Militant fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
