Police refuse to speculate on father and son Bondi gunmen’s motive
Police refuse to elaborate on the ideology or possible motive of the father and son identified as the alleged Bondi mass shooters.
Source: X
The two men have been identified as from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west – 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram.
Sajid Akram was killed in a shootout with police on Sunday. Naveed Akram was injured and remains under police guard in hospital.
At least 15 people were murdered in the terror attack targeting Jewish revellers at Bondi Beach on Sunday night.
A further 42 people – including two police officers – were wounded and taken to hospitals across Sydney. As many as 12 survivors are in a critical condition, while a total of 27 people remained in hospital on Monday afternoon.
Hundreds of people had gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when the Akrams opened fire.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday afternoon that based on his medical condition, it was likely Naveed Akram would face criminal charges.
“I’m very mindful of not prejudicing any prosecution of that person put before the court,” he said.
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Minns confirmed that Sajid Akram had belonged to a gun club and held a category AB firearms licence, which entitled him to own the long arms he had.
He had held a gun licence for 10 years.
It is likely Naveed Akram will survive to face criminal charges. Photo: X
Minns said gun laws would change after the tragedy.
The ABC has reported that ASIO examined one of the gunmen six years ago over his close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said he couldn’t discuss what information the Commonwealth might have.
Lanyon also declined to confirm reports that a black IS flag was found on or inside the alleged gunmen’s car.
“That’s very much part of the investigation. At this stage I’m not prepared to confirm any of that,” he said.
“Further information will be provided. I think I also it made clear that with a person who is currently in hospital, who may well face criminal charges, it’s important I don’t prejudice any prosecution.”
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The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation acknowledged one of the alleged gunmen was known to the organisation, though he was not seen as an immediate threat.
ASIO has since committed to a review and is searching for others who might be plotting similar attacks. But director-general Mike Burgess stressed there was no indication anyone else in the community had a similar intent.
The shooting has officially been declared a terrorist incident, which will give ASIO, the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police special powers as they investigate.
Multiple police officers exchanged fire with the two men on Sunday, with a constable and probationary constable suffering gunshot wounds. They remain in hospital in serious but stable conditions.
Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene. His son suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
Improvised explosive devices were found in a vehicle linked to the dead shooter. Photo: AAP
A bomb disposal unit was deployed when improvised explosive devices were found in a vehicle linked to Sajid Akram. Police are also investigating the possibility of a third gunman.
Witnesses said the shooting had gone on for more than five minutes before police intervened.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley defended the police response Monday, saying that “the blue family” responded promptly to the attack.
Catley said off-duty police officers who heard about the attack put their uniforms on, “got in their car and drove to Bondi police station because they knew they would be needed”.
“We had officers from Newcastle, Sutherland, Western Sydney, you name it,” she said.
-with AAP
