Australian police allege that father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram conducted "tactical" firearms training in rural New South Wales before allegedly killing 15 people at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah event. Authorities released images and a video linking the suspects to an Islamic State flag and anti‑Zionist rhetoric, and say explosives thrown during the attack did not detonate. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised to the Jewish community and announced plans for a major gun buyback and tougher hate‑speech laws as New South Wales moves to fast‑track strict firearm reforms.
Bondi Beach Mass Shooting: Police Say Father and Son Trained 'Tactically' in Rural NSW
The shooting during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah killed 15 people at Sydney's Bondi Beach (DAVID GRAY)(DAVID GRAY/AFP/AFP)
Australian police say the two men accused in the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting carried out what investigators describe as "tactical" firearms training in rural New South Wales before allegedly targeting a Hanukkah event that left 15 people dead. Authorities have released images and documents they say show the suspects practising with shotguns, conducting reconnaissance and recording a video that referenced the Islamic State.
What Police Allege
Police documents made public on Monday state that father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed carried out firearms training in a countryside location in New South Wales in the lead-up to the attack. Investigators say the pair "meticulously planned" the assault over several months, and released photos that they said show the suspects firing shotguns and moving in a "tactical manner."
Authorities also say the men recorded a video in October denouncing "Zionists" while seated in front of an Islamic State flag and explaining their motivations. Documents show they conducted a nighttime reconnaissance of Bondi Beach days before the killings, and that explosives hurled during the attack did not detonate.
Immediate Aftermath and Legal Status
One of the alleged gunmen, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the incident. His son, Naveed, was moved from hospital to a jail cell and faces criminal proceedings. Police investigations and evidence-gathering continue as authorities piece together the suspects' movements and contacts.
Political Response and Proposed Reforms
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised to the Jewish community and pledged tougher action against extremist violence and hate speech. "We're not going to let the ISIS-inspired terrorists win," he said, promising new legislation to create an "aggravated offence for hate preaching." The federal government also announced plans for a sweeping gun buyback scheme, described as the largest since the 1996 Port Arthur reforms.
New South Wales recalled parliament to introduce what it called the "toughest firearm reforms in the country," including a cap on the number of firearms per individual and exemptions for certain groups such as farmers. Proposed measures would also ban the display of "terrorist symbols" — including an Islamic State flag linked to the case — and give authorities the power to prohibit protests for up to three months after a terrorism incident.
"The government will work every day to protect Jewish Australians," Mr Albanese said, promising measures to safeguard the rights of religious communities and to prevent further attacks.
Community Response
At Bondi Beach, life began to return to a fragile normal. Visitors paused at a makeshift memorial, leaving flowers and reflecting on the victims. A national minute's silence was observed exactly one week after the first reports of gunfire.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police and intelligence agencies are reviewing the full scope of the alleged planning and any wider networks or influences linked to the suspects.
