More details have emerged regarding the gunmen who killed 15 people at Bondi Beach in Australia. New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed that Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, were allegedly motivated by Islamic State (ISIS) ideology.
The pair reportedly traveled to the Philippines last month. Police discovered improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags in a car registered to Naveed parked at the scene of Sunday’s attack. Lanyon confirmed that investigations into their purpose for visiting the Philippines and activities there remain ongoing, while clarifying Sajid had obtained a gun license only in 2023—not as previously reported.
Naveed Akram, who worked as a bricklayer, came under surveillance by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) since October 2019. He was arrested at the scene with critical injuries and hospitalized in Sydney, while his father Sajid was shot dead by police.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as being “motivated by Islamic State ideology” that has persisted for more than a decade, leading to such acts of violence. Albanese stated the gunmen had meticulously planned their assault and acted alone, positioning themselves strategically to maximize harm.
The incident resulted in 15 fatalities and at least 25 people still hospitalized on Tuesday.
