Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Solo and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The pair of accused attackers who carried out the deadly incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly acted alone, according to Australian police.
Investigators additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the capital Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit
Police indicate the duo did not receive any form of attack-related training or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local officials indicate they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The attack—described as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"We are actively reviewing the material," she stated, adding that initial assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to suggest these accused individuals were affiliated with a wider organization, or were instructed by others to perpetrate an incident," Commissioner Barrett said.
But, the men were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, the official clarified. She stressed that, given that the investigation is ongoing, new evidence might come to light.
Ideology and Court Charges
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it appears both accused gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—are accused of having opened fire on guests at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The pair had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
