Alleged Bondi Shooters Acted Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators Confirm.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the deadly shooting at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, per national police.
Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Police have stated the individuals did not undergo any type of terrorist instruction or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial findings from local authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the evidence," the commissioner stated, noting that initial assessments indicate that "the two men are believed to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these alleged offenders were members of a larger network, or were acting on orders from external parties to perpetrate an incident," she stated.
Yet, the duo were also not in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett added. She stressed that, as the investigation is still active, fresh information might come to light.
Ideology and Legal Proceedings
Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having targeted guests at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the wake following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The pair had stated the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Militant groups have been known to operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
