Alleged Bondi Shooters Operated Independently and Received No Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Confirm.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the fatal incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, as stated by national law enforcement.
Investigators additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit
Authorities indicate the individuals did not partake in any form of terrorist coaching or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Early findings from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a act of terrorism.
"We are currently analyzing the footage," she said, adding that initial evaluations indicate that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to suggest these accused individuals were members of a broader organization, or were directed by others to carry out an incident," the police chief emphasized.
However, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, the official added. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details may come to light.
Motivation and Court Proceedings
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with firearms—allegedly shot participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The pair had stated the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. The region is known because, Islamist fighters have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
