Bondi gunman charged with 59 offences over deadly terror attack
Bondi gunman Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist act, over a mass shooting near Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. Police say the attack targeted a Hanukkah gathering and was inspired by Islamic State.
- Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges including murder and terrorism-related offences
- The attack killed 15 people at a Hanukkah gathering near Bondi Beach; dozens were injured
- Police say early findings point to Islamic State-inspired terrorism
AUSTRALIA: Bondi gunman Naveed Akram has been formally charged with 59 criminal offences in connection with a mass shooting near Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people and injured dozens more.
The charges include 15 counts of murder, committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
Akram, 24, remains in hospital under police guard and appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday via audio-visual link, represented by a Legal Aid lawyer.
The virtual hearing was held before Magistrate Daniel Covington.
He made no application for bail, which was formally refused. The case is scheduled to return to court on 22 December.
Second Gunman Shot Dead at Scene
Police have confirmed that a second gunman, Sajid Akram, Naveed Akram’s father, was shot dead by police at the scene of the attack.
Investigators say the pair opened fire shortly after 6.40 pm on Sunday at a community gathering celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, near the iconic beach.
Victims and Injuries
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had led the Chabad mission in Bondi for 18 years.
Hundreds gathered at a Bondi synagogue on Wednesday for his funeral.
Rabbi Schlanger is survived by his wife and young children, including a two-month-old baby.
Dozens of people were injured in the attack, including four children and two police officers.
Authorities said 20 victims remain in hospital, among them Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert.
Terrorism Investigation Ongoing
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the shooting a terrorist attack on Sunday night, citing the religious nature of the gathering, the weapons used, and items recovered at the scene.
Police have since said early investigations indicate the attack was inspired by Islamic State, a terrorist organisation banned in Australia.
“Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Authorities described the investigation as “massive” and “complex”, with inquiries continuing.
Firearms Licensing Under Scrutiny
Police confirmed that Sajid Akram had held a registered firearms licence since 2015 for recreational hunting and was legally permitted to own up to six firearms.
Long-arm guns were used in the attack, and all weapons have since been seized.
In response, NSW Premier Chris Minns has recalled parliament ahead of Christmas to consider proposed firearm law reforms.
These include limits on the number of guns a licensed shooter can own, the reclassification of straight-pull shotguns, and a ban on belt-fed ammunition magazines for such weapons.
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