Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offences in connection with the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach during the Chanukah By The Sea event on Sunday, December 14. The attack, allegedly carried out alongside his father, Sajid Akram, left 15 people dead and more than 40 injured.
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed was injured and taken into custody. He recently awoke from a coma and will face charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. Naveed is set to appear in a bedside court hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities have identified 12 of the 15 victims so far, including a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, a devoted rabbi, a former NSW Police officer, and a French national. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that two ISIS flags and improvised explosive devices were found in Naveed’s vehicle, which he registered.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there is currently no evidence that other individuals were involved in the attack but cautioned that investigations are ongoing. Authorities are also examining why the pair travelled to the Philippines last month, returning to Sydney just weeks before the attack.
The Bondi community has come together to mourn and pay tribute to the victims, with thousands gathering outside Bondi Pavilion to lay flowers. Several bystanders and local heroes intervened during the shooting, including 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, who wrestled a long-barrelled gun from one of the attackers. A fundraiser for al Ahmed has already raised over $2 million.
In response to the tragedy, Premier Chris Minns indicated that New South Wales will review and strengthen firearm laws. “It’s time to amend the law in relation to firearms legislation in New South Wales,” he said, promising swift action to prevent similar attacks in the future.
