Alleged Bondi Beach Shooters Operated Alone and Received No Preparation in the Philippines, Police Confirm.

The two alleged gunmen who carried out the deadly attack at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, according to national authorities.

Police further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.

Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit

Authorities indicate the pair did not partake in any type of terrorist coaching or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from Philippine authorities indicate they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.

The attack—declared Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.

"Our teams are actively examining the material," the commissioner said, noting that initial evaluations indicate that "the two men are believed to have operated independently."

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that security camera video tracking the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.

"There is no evidence to suggest these suspects were affiliated with a broader network, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to carry out an incident," she said.

But, the duo were also not in the Philippines as tourists, she noted. She stressed that, given that the inquiry is ongoing, new evidence may surface.

Inspiration and Court Charges

In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese commented it seems both alleged gunmen were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.

During the shooting, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—are accused of having targeted attendees at the Jewish festival event.

Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.

Travel Information

In the days following the attack, border authorities in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.

The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a large urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have been known to operate in less developed parts of southern and western Mindanao.