Alleged Bondi Gunmen Acted Solo and Received No Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police State.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the lethal attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, per Australian law enforcement.
Authorities additionally revealed 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 transiting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Stay
Police have stated the pair did not partake in any form of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine authorities point to they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The shooting—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the evidence," she said, adding that preliminary reviews suggest that "these individuals are believed to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by others to perpetrate an incident," she stated.
Yet, the pair were also not in the Philippines for tourism, she noted. She emphasized that, since the investigation is ongoing, new evidence might come to light.
Inspiration and Court Charges
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged attackers were "motivated by Islamic State" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—allegedly opened fire on participants at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been charged with 59 charges. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the wake following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The two had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. The region is known because, Militant fighters have been known to be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
