Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Independently and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Philippines, Investigators State.
The two alleged attackers who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, as stated by Australian police.
Authorities also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Trip
Authorities have stated the pair did not partake in any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from Philippine authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.
"We are currently analyzing the material," the commissioner stated, adding that early assessments show that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to indicate these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to execute an act of violence," the police chief stated.
However, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she added. She emphasized that, since the investigation is still active, fresh information may come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged attackers were "motivated by ISIS" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having opened fire on attendees at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the attack, border officials in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Islamist militants have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
