A father and son have been charged in connection with a tragic mass shooting and bombing incident in Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead during a Hanukkah celebration. According to Australian police, the suspects, Naveed Akram, aged 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly threw four homemade explosive devices into the crowd before opening fire on December 14, 2023.
The details of the attack emerged from court documents released on Monday, revealing that the duo had conducted training sessions prior to the incident. Police stated that they recorded a video justifying their actions, expressing motivations linked to the Islamic State terror group. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are looking into whether the suspects received assistance from any external networks, particularly following their travel to the southern Philippines in November, a region previously identified as a hotspot for extremist activities.
Details of the Attack
The court documents outline a sequence of events leading up to the violent incident. It is alleged that the suspects began their assault by launching three pipe bombs and one “tennis ball bomb” from a footbridge overlooking a predominantly Jewish crowd. Police described the pipe bombs as viable and made from sealed aluminum piping filled with explosive materials and steel ball bearings.
Training sessions for the suspects reportedly occurred in late October at a location believed to be in New South Wales. A video found on Naveed Akram’s phone depicted both individuals firing shotguns in a tactical manner. Law enforcement officials indicated that the video shows the suspects wearing black clothing while practicing shooting in a green field.
In late October, they also recorded a video in front of an image of an ISIS flag, making statements about their motivations for the attack. This revelation has raised concerns among authorities regarding the influence of extremist ideologies on their actions.
Investigation and Community Response
Following their return from the Philippines, where they spent nearly a month at a budget hotel in Davao City, the suspects checked into an Airbnb in Sydney. Police recovered firearms, ammunition, and a suspected homemade explosive device from their accommodation. The investigation has expanded to include tracking the suspects’ movements and interactions during their stay in the Philippines.
The incident has sparked grief and outrage within the Jewish community, which has long expressed concerns about rising antisemitism in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced backlash during a vigil for the victims, where he acknowledged the weight of responsibility he feels as the nation’s leader. “I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst I’m prime minister,” he stated.
While Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, Naveed Akram is currently facing 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and terrorism. The community continues to mourn the significant loss of life, and calls for greater action against hate and violence are growing louder in the aftermath of this tragic event.
