Bondi Beach Shooting: 15 Killed, Father and Son Suspected of Extremist Attack

15 people were killed in a tragic shooting at Bondi Beach, the deadliest mass‑casualty event in Australia in decades. A 50‑year‑old father and his 24‑year‑old son were the suspects, with the father shot dead by police and the son hospitalized with critical injuries. Authorities say the attack was “clearly” motivated by extremist ideology and targeted the Jewish community.

The Attack

The shooting unfolded on a sunny Sunday as crowds gathered for a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. A volley of bullets was fired from a bridge overlooking the ocean, striking attendees and causing chaos. Police arrived quickly and fatally shot the father on the scene. The son, who was also present, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital.

Suspects and Background

The suspects are Sajid Akram, the father, and Naveed Akram, his son. Sajid is a licensed gun owner who arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa and later held a partner visa and resident return visa. Naveed, an Australian‑born citizen, first attracted the attention of Australian intelligence in October 2019. The investigation into Naveed lasted six months, and officials said there was no indication of an ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence.

Government Response

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters that there was no evidence of collusion or that the father and son were part of a wider cell, though he said they were “clearly” motivated by extremist ideology. He confirmed that improvised explosive devices had been found in a car. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained Sajid’s immigration history and noted that authorities had not elaborated on Naveed’s associations.

Police Raids and Community Impact

Police raided an Airbnb property in Campsie, close to Bondi Beach, where the men had been staying. A second raid targeted a house in Bonnyrigg, a working‑class suburb 22 miles from Sydney’s central business district. Residents of Bonnyrigg were stunned to see armed police cordon off their street and raid a house as news of the Bondi Beach shooting unfolded. Neighbors described the family as quiet and normal.

Family Perspective

The wife of the suspects, who identified herself as the mother of the men, said she was unable to recognize her son from images of the attack. She recalled that the two men had told her they were going on a fishing trip. She also stated that her son “doesn’t have a firearm.”

Expert Insight

Andrew Silke, a professor of criminology at Royal Holloway University, warned that family connections can be a significant risk factor in extremist involvement. He noted that attacks by brothers are more common than by father and son, and that the older family member usually introduces the ideology. Silke added that a pattern of radicalization over time is often evident, and an attack “completely out of the blue” would be “incredibly rare.”

Gun Law Implications

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the father had the legal right to possess firearms and had held a firearms license since 2015. He added, “He met the eligibility criteria for a firearm’s license.” Lanyon explained that the license was for a recreational hunting license, and that Sajid was a member of a gun club, entitling him to a firearms license under the firearms act. He promised that “no stone will be left unturned” as authorities continue to investigate.

Government Measures

The government is considering measures including limiting the number of firearms held by one individual, restricting licenses to Australian citizens, and narrowing the types of weapons deemed legal. These steps aim to address the gun licence issue highlighted by the investigation.

Key Takeaways

• 15 people killed in Bondi Beach shooting; father and son suspected of extremist attack.
• Father held a legal firearms licence; son had no ongoing threat or violence indication.
• Government is reviewing gun laws and anti‑terrorism policies following the incident.

The Bondi Beach shooting has sent shockwaves across Australia and the world, prompting renewed scrutiny of gun laws and antisemitism, and raising questions about what authorities knew about the father‑son duo before the attack.