Suspected Bondi Shooters Operated Alone and Received No Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police State.
The two suspected individuals responsible for the deadly incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly acted alone, per national law enforcement.
Investigators also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit
Investigators assert the individuals did not undergo any form of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from local authorities point to they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The incident—labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a act of terrorism.
"We are currently reviewing the footage," she stated, noting that initial reviews suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.
"There is no evidence to suggest these accused individuals were members of a wider organization, or were directed by external parties to execute an incident," Commissioner Barrett emphasized.
However, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She underscored that, since the inquiry is ongoing, new evidence might surface.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both accused gunmen were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Particulars
In the days following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. It is noted that, Militant militants have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
