Alleged Bondi Shooters Operated Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Police State.
The two alleged individuals responsible for the lethal shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, as stated by Australian police.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Trip
Police have stated the pair did not receive any form of attack-related coaching or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from local officials point to they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The attack—declared Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively examining the footage," the commissioner stated, noting that initial reviews show that "these individuals are believed to have operated independently."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were members of a larger network, or were directed by overseas entities to carry out an incident," Commissioner Barrett emphasized.
But, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She underscored that, since the investigation is still active, fresh information may come to light.
Motivation and Court Charges
In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused attackers were "influenced by ISIS" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly shot attendees at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the wake following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have reportedly operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
