Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Say.
The two alleged attackers who carried out the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, according to Australian police.
Police also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Police indicate the pair did not undergo any form of attack-related coaching or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Early findings from Philippine authorities indicate they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The shooting—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently examining the footage," the commissioner stated, adding that initial reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material showing the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these suspects were affiliated with a larger network, or were acting on orders from external parties to carry out an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett said.
Yet, the duo were also not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, she added. She stressed that, as the inquiry is ongoing, new evidence could come to light.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged attackers were "influenced by Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—are accused of having targeted participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. Historically, Islamist militants have been known to be active in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
