A father-son duo of Pakistani descent, Naveed Akram (24) and Sajid Akram (50), carried out the terror shooting at a Hanukkah party at Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 and wounding many more.
The police have confirmed that the father was shot dead on Sunday, while the son is in the hospital in a critical but stable condition, and the police expect him to recover and face charges.
The pair had told family members that they were on a fishing trip in Jervis Bay on Sunday but were actually in a short-term rental in Campsie (a Sydney suburb).
What do we know about the Bondi Beach shooters?
Sajid first came to Australia in 1998, and Naveed was born in Australia.
The son was not a stranger to Australia’s intelligence services. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Naveed became known to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in 2019 due to concerns he was accessing extremist online material or conversing with radicalized individuals.
“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 told reporters. The investigation into Naveed lasted six months but ended when it seemed that there was no cause for concern. He was subsequently taken off the watchlist.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Company on Monday, ASIO also flagged the younger Akram because of his potential relationship with an Islamic State terrorist named Isaac El Matari, who is serving seven years in jail for planning an ISIS insurgency.
Albanese responded to queries about why Sajid was able to legally own six firearms despite the fact that his son was investigated for potential radical activity.
“The father was interviewed at the time as well [and had] shown no indication of any radicalization,” he said. Sajid obtained his firearms license in 2015.
Four weapons were recovered at the scene, as well as unexploded improvised explosive devices in the pair’s car. Police also found an Islamic State flag in the vehicle. The other two weapons were taken from the rental room.
Speaking to WAtoday on Sunday, Naveed’s mother said, “Anyone would wish to have a son like my son… He’s a good boy.
“He doesn’t have a firearm. He doesn’t even go out. He doesn’t mix around with friends. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t go to bad places… He goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and that’s it.”