The tranquility of Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach was shattered by an act of mass violence, identified by authorities as a targeted terror attack. The perpetrators have been confirmed by law enforcement sources as a father and son duo from Sydney's south-west: Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram.
The Sunday evening assault, which coincided with a Jewish holiday celebration, resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people and left dozens injured, making it the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly 30 years.
Who are Sajid and Naveed Akram?
The two gunmen were identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram.
| Individual | Age & Status | Key Details |
| Sajid Akram | 50 years old, Deceased | Described as a fruit shop owner. He was a licensed firearms holder for about 10 years and had six registered firearms, which police confirmed were recovered at the scene. He was shot dead by police at the scene of the attack. |
| Naveed Akram | 24 years old, Suspect | Described as a former bricklayer who had been laid off two months prior. He remains under police guard in hospital in a critical but stable condition with injuries, and is expected to face criminal charges. He was previously known to police and intelligence agencies, but not viewed as an immediate threat. |
The father and son, who lived in the Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg, reportedly told family members they were going on a weekend fishing trip to Jervis Bay before carrying out the attack. Police raids were subsequently conducted at their residence and a short-term rental address.
Details of the Attack and Investigation
The shooting unfolded as hundreds of people, including many from the Jewish community, gathered at Bondi Beach for the first night of the Chanukah by the Sea festival.
- Targeted Attack: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the shooting was "an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores."
- Weapons and Devices: The older Akram was a member of a gun club, and police confirmed that the six firearms legally licensed to him were seized. Additionally, authorities found two "basic" improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a vehicle linked to the deceased attacker, which were described as active devices.
- Heroic Intervention: The death toll was possibly limited by a civilian, who was praised for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen before police intervention.
The New South Wales Police Commissioner confirmed that only two gunmen were involved and that authorities are now focusing the investigation on the lead-up to the attack and how the legally-owned weapons were used in the terror incident.
