Alleged Bondi Beach Attackers Acted Alone and Did Not Undergo Preparation in the Philippines, Investigators Confirm.

The two alleged gunmen who carried out the fatal shooting at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, per Australian authorities.

Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the capital Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.

No Evidence of Planning During Stay

Authorities assert the duo did not receive any type of terrorist instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine officials suggest they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.

The incident—described as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a act of terrorism.

"We are actively analyzing the footage," the commissioner stated, adding that initial evaluations suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to domestic investigators.

"There is little to no indication to support the idea these alleged offenders were affiliated with a larger terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an attack," the police chief said.

However, the men were likewise not in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett noted. She emphasized that, since the inquiry is still active, additional details might emerge.

Inspiration and Court Proceedings

Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.

During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying long-barrelled guns—allegedly targeted guests at the Jewish festival celebration.

Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.

Travel Particulars

In the days following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.

The pair had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a sprawling metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. The region is known because, Islamist militants have been known to operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.