Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Solo and Received No Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The two alleged attackers responsible for the fatal attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, as stated by national police.
Authorities further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Investigators indicate the individuals did not receive any type of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Early inquiries from local authorities indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—declared Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently analyzing the material," she stated, noting that initial assessments show that "the two men are alleged 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 provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were part of a wider organization, or were instructed by others to execute an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett emphasized.
However, the pair were also not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, she clarified. She underscored that, since the inquiry is continuing, fresh information may come to light.
Ideology and Court Charges
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both alleged attackers were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly shot attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the wake following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Militant fighters have reportedly be active in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.
