Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Alone and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police State.
The two suspected attackers responsible for the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, as stated by national police.
Investigators also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the main city Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Authorities assert the individuals did not undergo any form of attack-related coaching or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Early investigations from local officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The incident—described as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently analyzing the material," the commissioner stated, explaining that early assessments show that "these individuals are believed to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to indicate these suspects were members of a larger terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to execute an incident," she stated.
But, the men were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official clarified. She emphasized that, as the investigation is ongoing, fresh information might surface.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both accused attackers were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with long-barrelled guns—allegedly opened fire on guests at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the wake following the attack, border officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect 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 final destination. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. Historically, Militant groups have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.