Alleged Bondi Beach Shooters Operated Independently and Did Not Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Say.

The two alleged attackers responsible for the lethal incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per Australian law enforcement.

Investigators additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.

Lack of Proof of Training During Trip

Investigators have stated the pair did not partake in any type of attack-related training or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial investigations from local authorities indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.

The shooting—described as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.

"We are actively examining the evidence," the commissioner said, adding that early assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have been lone actors."

National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic investigators.

"There is no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were affiliated with a wider terrorist cell, or were directed by external parties to execute an incident," she stated.

However, the duo were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official noted. She emphasized that, since the probe is ongoing, new evidence might come to light.

Ideology and Court Charges

In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both alleged attackers were "influenced by ISIS" ideology.

During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—allegedly opened fire on guests at the Hanukkah celebration.

Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.

Travel Information

In the days following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.

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

Davao is a expansive metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. Historically, Militant militants have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.