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New Details Emerge in Bondi Beach Massacre: Suspects Allegedly Threw Explosives Before Mass Shooting
Sydney, Australia – Chilling new details have come to light regarding the horrific Hanukkah celebration attack at Bondi Beach, where 15 people lost their lives. Court documents released Monday allege that the father and son accused of the massacre, Naveed Akram, 24, and Sajid Akram, 50, first hurled four homemade explosive devices into the crowd before unleashing a hail of gunfire.
Australian police revealed that the two suspects underwent training in preparation for the attack and even recorded a video justifying their actions. These new allegations surfaced as Naveed Akram made a court appearance via video from a Sydney hospital, facing charges of murder and terrorism.
Authorities are intensely investigating whether the suspects, believed to be inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group, received any external support. A key focus of this probe is their November travel to the southern Philippines, a region historically associated with extremist activity.
The Bondi Beach attack, Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in three decades, has sparked widespread grief and outrage within the Jewish community. Many community members feel their earlier warnings about rising antisemitism were tragically overlooked. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologized on Monday after being met with boos at a vigil for the victims, stating, “I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst I’m prime minister.”
The police statement of facts outlines a previously unreported sequence of events leading up to the alleged attack.
Unexploded Bombs and Tactical Training Revealed
According to New South Wales police, the gunmen’s rampage began after they threw three pipe bombs and one “tennis ball bomb” from a footbridge overlooking the predominantly Jewish crowd gathered on December 14 for the first day of Hanukkah. Fortunately, these devices failed to detonate.
“Preliminary analysis indicates the pipe bombs were made of sealed aluminum piping containing explosive, black powder, and steel ball bearings,” police stated in the document, confirming they were “viable” improvised explosive devices.
Investigators also found a video on the younger suspect’s phone, recorded in late October, depicting the father and son engaged in firearms training at a countryside location, suspected to be in New South Wales. The video reportedly shows them firing shotguns and “moving in a tactical manner.” Images from the video, included in the court documents, show the suspects in black T-shirts and pants, firing shotguns in a green field.
Another video, also recorded in late October, shows the suspects seated in front of an image of an ISIS flag, “making a number of statements regarding their motivation for the ‘Bondi attack’ and condemning the acts of ‘Zionists.'”
Philippines Travel and Airbnb Rental Under Scrutiny
From November 1 to November 28, the Akrams traveled to the Philippines, staying at a budget hotel in Davao City on the island of Mindanao. This area has historically been a stronghold for Al Qaeda and ISIS fighters, with experts noting that several dozen ISIS-aligned fighters are still believed to be present. Philippine authorities confirmed last week that the suspects initially booked the GV Hotel for one week before extending their stay.
On Sunday, Philippine police regional director Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete announced that police are conducting “backtracking operations to establish their movements during their stay,” and are also investigating “the individuals they interacted with and assessing possible links or support networks.”
Upon their return to Sydney, the suspects checked into an Airbnb rental from December 2 to December 21. Police recovered several firearms and ammunition, a suspected homemade explosive, 3D-printed parts for a shotgun speed loader, and two copies of the Quran from the room. Two homemade, painted ISIS flags were also seized.
On the day of the attack, December 14, police allege the suspects loaded two single-barrel shotguns, a rifle, four homemade explosive devices, and two ISIS flags into their car. Upon arriving at the scene, the ISIS flags were placed inside the front and rear windshields, making them “clearly visible to the public.”
While Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, Naveed Akram, who recently emerged from a coma, now faces 59 charges, including terrorism and 15 counts of murder.