Suspected Bondi Beach Shooters Operated Independently and Did Not Undergo Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police State.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the fatal incident at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, per national police.
Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing 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 Training During Visit
Police indicate the pair did not receive any form of terrorist training or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Early investigations from Philippine authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The attack—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are actively reviewing the material," she said, noting that preliminary reviews indicate that "these individuals are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were affiliated with a larger network, or were directed by external parties to perpetrate an act of violence," she said.
However, the duo were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She stressed that, since the inquiry is continuing, new evidence might surface.
Motivation and Legal Charges
Previously, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it appears both accused gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with firearms—allegedly targeted attendees at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the shooting, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. Historically, Militant groups have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
