Accused Bondi Beach Shooters Acted Independently and Received No Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.
The two alleged attackers who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, according to national authorities.
Investigators further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Trip
Investigators have stated the pair did not partake in any type of terrorist instruction or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary inquiries from local officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The attack—declared Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently examining the material," she said, explaining that early evaluations indicate that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"Our investigation shows little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from external parties to perpetrate an incident," Commissioner Barrett said.
However, the pair were also not in the Philippines for tourism, the official noted. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is continuing, new evidence could come to light.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both alleged gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the days following the shooting, border 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 stated the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Militant fighters have been known to operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
