Accused Bondi Beach Shooters Operated Alone and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.

The two alleged attackers responsible for the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly acted alone, per Australian law enforcement.

Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the main city Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.

Lack of Proof of Training During Trip

Police indicate the duo did not undergo any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Early investigations from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.

The incident—labeled as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a terrorist incident.

"Our teams are currently analyzing the footage," the commissioner stated, noting that preliminary reviews indicate that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have acted alone."

Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.

"There is little to no indication to support the idea these suspects were members of a larger terrorist cell, or were directed by external parties to execute an attack," the police chief stated.

Yet, the men were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, she noted. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is continuing, additional details may surface.

Motivation and Legal Charges

Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused attackers were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.

During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—allegedly shot guests at the Hanukkah celebration.

Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.

Travel Particulars

In the days following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an domestic passport.

The duo had stated the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a expansive city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist groups have been known to operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.