Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Training in the Philippines, Police State.
The pair of accused gunmen responsible for the fatal shooting at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, according to national police.
Police additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the capital Manila before traveling onward that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Investigators have stated the duo did not partake in any form of terrorist coaching or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The incidentâdeclared Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996âhas been officially classified as a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the evidence," she stated, explaining that early evaluations show that "these individuals are believed to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.
"There is little to no indication to support the idea these suspects were part of a larger organization, or were directed by others to carry out an incident," Commissioner Barrett stated.
But, the duo were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She underscored that, since the probe is still active, new evidence may emerge.
Inspiration and Court Charges
Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it appears both accused attackers were "motivated by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveedâequipped with firearmsâare accused of having targeted participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Militant groups have been known to be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
