SYDNEY, Australia — A father and son who carried out a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach had possible links to the Islamic State terrorist organisation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Monday.
The attack Sunday left 15 people dead and several wounded during what police described as a clearly antisemitic terrorist act at Australia’s most famous beach.
Senior investigators told ABC that two Islamic State flags were discovered in the gunmen’s vehicle, though New South Wales police said they could not officially confirm the report.
The black-clad attackers — a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son — were captured on video standing side-by-side on a small bridge, firing long-barrelled weapons at festival-goers enjoying a sunny afternoon.
Gunman’s background emerges
The father, identified in local media as Sajid Akram, was killed in a shootout with responding officers. Police said he held licenses for six firearms and investigators believe all were used in the attack.
Akram first arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told reporters Monday. He obtained a partner visa in 2001 and travelled overseas three times since then, according to government records.
His son, Naveed Akram, is an Australian-born citizen who remains critically injured in a Sydney hospital under police guard.
Security services had prior contact
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Monday that the younger Akram came to security services’ attention in 2019.
“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence,” Albanese said.
ABC reported that Naveed Akram was closely connected to an Islamic State member arrested in July 2019 and later convicted of preparing a terrorist act in Australia. Counter-terrorism detectives believe both gunmen had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, the broadcaster said.
Investigation continues
Police raided two properties in western Sydney as part of their investigation – one in Bonnyrigg where Naveed Akram reportedly lived, and another in Campsie where the pair allegedly stayed before the attack.
“We want to understand the motive behind these two people,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters. “We want to understand whether these people were further involved in any offences, but we have no history to say that’s the case.”
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
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