Bondi Gunman Faces 15 Murder and Terrorism Charges After Deadly Jewish Festival Attack
Naveed Akram, 24, has been hit with 59 charges including 15 counts of murder and one terrorism offence. The Bondi Beach gunman allegedly opened fire at a Jewish Chanukah celebration, killing 15 people in one of Australia’s deadliest terror attacks.
Father Dead, Son Wakes from Coma
Naveed’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed, seriously wounded in the shootout, has now woken from a coma and is stable. He’s set to appear at a bedside court hearing later this week.
ISIS Flags and Explosives Found in Gunman’s Car
- Police discovered two homemade ISIS flags in Naveed’s vehicle.
- Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also found inside the car.
- Authorities are investigating why Naveed and his father travelled to the Philippines just weeks before the attack.
“There is no evidence to suggest other individuals were involved in this attack, however, we caution that this could change given it is early in our investigation.” – Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett
Community in Shock as Victims Named
Twelve of the 15 victims have been identified, including 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest fatality. The dead include a devoted rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, a former NSW police officer, and a French national. Over 40 others were injured, among them two police officers. Thousands have gathered outside Bondi Pavilion, laying flowers and mourning those lost in the horrifying massacre.
