Police confirm Bondi Beach mass shooting suspects acted alone, with no links to a wider terrorist cell, as Australia announces a gun crackdown.
SYDNEY: Police have confirmed the father and son accused of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach “acted alone” and were not part of a wider terrorist cell.
Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett stated there is no evidence the alleged offenders were directed by others to carry out the attack.
The duo, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, allegedly killed 15 people in an ISIS-inspired attack targeting a Jewish festival on December 14.
Barrett said police continue to investigate why the pair travelled to Davao in the southern Philippines weeks before the shooting.
“I want to be clear. I am not suggesting they were there for tourism,” she told reporters.
Police believe the attack was “meticulously planned” for months, releasing pictures of the pair training with shotguns in the Australian countryside.
They also recorded a video in October railing against “Zionists” in front of an Islamic State flag.
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the attack after entering Australia on a visa in 1998.
His 24-year-old son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, remains in custody charged with 15 murders.
New Year’s Eve parties across Sydney will pause at 11pm for a minute of silence in memory of the victims.
Crowds will be monitored by police squads carrying high-powered firearms, according to New South Wales premier Chris Minns.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a nationwide crackdown on gun ownership and hate speech.
He has promised stricter laws and a sweeping gun buyback scheme to “get guns off our streets”.
This is the largest gun buyback since 1996, following the Port Arthur massacre.
Albanese has also ordered a review of police and intelligence services.
