A father and son accused of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia claim they acted alone and are not connected to any terrorist organization, according to police. Sajid Akram and his son Naveed reportedly killed 15 people during an attack inspired by ISIS on December 14. In the weeks prior, they traveled to the southern Philippines, raising suspicions about possible ties to extremists in a region with a history of insurgencies, but authorities say there is no evidence supporting this link.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett emphasized that the suspects operated independently. “There is no indication that they were part of a larger terrorist network or directed by others,” she stated. Investigators continue to look into why the pair stayed in Davao, where surveillance footage shows them rarely leaving their modest hotel, and police stress that their presence wasn’t just for tourism.
Images from court exhibits reveal the suspects trained with shotguns in rural Australia and recorded a video in October criticizing Zionists while in front of a ISIS flag. Sajid Akram, aged 50, was shot and killed by officers during the attack. An Indian citizen who arrived in Australia in 1998 with a visa, Sajid was the father. His 24-year-old son Naveed, born in Australia, remains in custody, charged with multiple murders and other serious crimes.
In response, New South Wales authorities are enforcing stricter security measures, with police patrols armed with high-caliber weapons maintaining public safety. Additionally, December 31’s New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney will include a moment of silence at 11 p.m. to honor the victims.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a nationwide crackdown on gun ownership and hate speech, including the largest firearms buyback program since laws were tightened after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which resulted in 35 deaths. He also ordered a review of police and intelligence operations to bolster security measures.
