Australia is grappling with one of its deadliest mass shootings in decades after a father and son allegedly opened fire on crowds attending a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach on December 14. Using newly released police allegations, witness testimony and official statements, investigators and reporters reconstructed a timeline of events that left 15 people dead and many more injured.
Background
Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian-born citizen, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, are accused of carrying out the attack. Authorities say Naveed first attracted security attention in 2019 when, as a teenager, he was reportedly seen associating with supporters of the Islamic State group in Sydney. Two of his associates were later jailed, but officials say Naveed was not subsequently judged to be a high-level threat.
Training And Preparation
Police allege that mobile phone footage recovered in late October shows the pair training in a rural area — reportedly in New South Wales — "firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner." Investigators also say images show them wearing black shirts in front of an Islamic State flag beside several long‑barrel firearms and ammunition.
Travel And Accommodation
Investigators say Naveed booked a room on October 20 at a five‑bedroom Airbnb in Campsie, southwestern Sydney, for December 2–21. The pair reportedly travelled to the southern Philippines in November, staying at the GV Hotel in Davao City from about November 1 for 28 days; local CCTV and hotel staff accounts are being examined as part of the inquiry.
Reconnaissance
CCTV near Bondi Beach on the evening of December 12 shows the two men parking and walking to a footbridge police say provided a vantage point later used during the attack. Authorities allege this was part of reconnaissance and planning.
Early Hours, December 14
At about 2:16 a.m., police allege CCTV captured the pair leaving the Airbnb and stowing weapons under blankets in a 2001 Hyundai Elantra registered to Naveed. Investigators say the vehicle contained two single‑barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle, three pipe bombs, a tennis‑ball bomb, a larger explosive device and two Islamic State flags. The pair reportedly returned to their lodgings before departing for Bondi later that day.
The Attack
CCTV showed the suspects leaving the Airbnb at about 5:09 p.m. and driving toward Bondi. Police say the car parked on Campbell Parade by a footbridge at around 6:50 p.m., and the men placed Islamic State flags inside the front and rear windscreens. They are accused of removing three firearms and several explosive devices and moving toward the footbridge. Officers say the pipe bombs were thrown toward the crowd but did not detonate; it remains unclear which person threw them.
Soon after, police allege the father and son began firing into crowds gathered for the Hanukkah festival. Thousands of people fled in panic as gunfire rang out. Responding officers arrived roughly ten minutes after the shooting began.
Heroic Intervention And Police Response
Shopkeeper Ahmed Al Ahmed, who was having coffee with friends, reportedly ran toward one attacker, wrestled a firearm away and pointed it back at the assailant. He later suffered gunshot wounds; the timing and source of the shots remain under investigation. Sajid Akram was killed in an exchange of fire with police. Naveed was shot in the abdomen, taken to hospital and later charged with terrorism offences and 15 counts of murder.
Aftermath
Emergency responders performed CPR on victims across the beachfront as bystanders sought shelter in nearby churches, bars and shops. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns declared the incident a terrorist attack on the night of December 14. Authorities confirmed the following morning that 15 people had died and dozens were wounded. Investigations into motive, planning, overseas travel and potential contacts remain ongoing.
Note: Many details in this account are based on police allegations and ongoing investigations. Court proceedings and official inquiries may update or revise these findings.
