Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Police State.

The pair of accused gunmen responsible for the fatal incident at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, per Australian law enforcement.

Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.

Lack of Proof of Preparation During Trip

Investigators assert the duo did not receive any form of terrorist instruction or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local officials point to they "rarely left" their accommodation.

The attack—labeled as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a terrorist incident.

"We are actively analyzing the evidence," she stated, noting that preliminary assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have acted alone."

Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.

"There is no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were members of a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by external parties to execute an attack," she stated.

However, the men were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, the official added. She emphasized that, given that the investigation is continuing, new evidence may come to light.

Motivation and Court Proceedings

In prior statements, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both accused gunmen were "inspired by Islamic State" ideology.

During the incident, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having opened fire on guests at the Jewish festival celebration.

Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.

Immigration Information

In the wake following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.

The pair had stated the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a large metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist militants have been known to be active in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.