New details have emerged about the chilling terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead and 42 injured during a Hanukkah celebration. The alleged perpetrators, a father and son from the city's western suburbs, meticulously planned the massacre while living a secret double life.
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram arrived at the iconic beach in a silver hatchback just before 6.40pm on Sunday. Armed with rifles and extra ammunition, they positioned themselves on a bridge at the north end and opened fire on crowds of Jewish people marking the first night of Hanukkah.
Police responded swiftly, shooting Sajid dead at the scene. Naveed was critically wounded and taken to hospital for emergency surgery, where he remains under police guard and is expected to face serious criminal charges.
A Life of Deception and Preparation
Prior to the atrocity, Sajid Akram presented himself as a law-abiding citizen. He held a valid New South Wales gun licence, legally owned six firearms, and was a member of a gun club. On paper, he was a sole trader with an Australian Business Number, registered for GST from April 2024, indicating an annual income exceeding $75,000.
However, this was a carefully constructed facade. In the weeks before the attack, father and son travelled to the Philippines, using their Indian passports. Their final destination was Davao, where authorities believe they underwent military-style training. They returned to Sydney in November.
Instead of returning to their family home in Bonnyrigg, they holed up in a short-term rental property in Campsie, stockpiling firearms and explosives. Sajid's wife, Verena Akram, was completely unaware, believing her husband and son were on a fishing trip to Jervis Bay. She recounted a phone call from Naveed on Sunday where he described swimming and scuba diving.
Links to Extremism and Intelligence Failures
The attack is believed to have been inspired by the Islamic State (IS). An IS flag was reportedly found draped over the windscreen of the attackers' car. Despite this, neither man was on any terrorism watchlist.
It has since been revealed that Australia's domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, investigated Naveed Akram in 2019 over associations with a Sydney-based IS cell. The investigation, which also uncovered links to Wisam Haddad—a figure connected to Australian jihadists—was dropped after six months due to a lack of evidence of radicalisation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that while the initial investigation found no evidence, the attackers were "clearly... motivated by this extremist ideology." Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett condemned the attack, stating the killers were "interested only in a quest for a death tally" and forcing Jewish communities worldwide to relive modern-day terror.
Police seized four weapons at Bondi Beach and more during a raid on the Campsie rental. The NSW Police Commissioner has not commented on reports of a manifesto being found. The community and nation are now grappling with how such a plot could be formed undetected, by individuals who appeared to be integrated members of society.
