The two suspected individuals responsible for the lethal shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, as stated by national authorities.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the main city Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Police indicate the pair did not undergo any form of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial findings from Philippine officials point to they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The shooting—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"We are currently reviewing the evidence," she stated, adding that early evaluations indicate that "these individuals are believed to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett informed reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were affiliated with a wider organization, or were instructed by external parties to carry out an act of violence," the police chief emphasized.
But, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She underscored that, as the inquiry is ongoing, fresh information might surface.
Motivation and Legal Charges
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both alleged attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—are accused of having opened fire on attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the wake following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
