The two gunmen who opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach earlier this month acted alone, and there was “no evidence” they were part of a terrorist cell, police said on Tuesday.
Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, are alleged to have killed 15 people at the incident on December 14, Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost three decades, which shocked the nation and led to immediate reforms of already strict gun laws.
Police have previously said the men were inspired by Islamic State, with homemade flags of the terror group found in their car after the attack, and a month-long trip by the pair to a Philippines island previously plagued by terrorism was a major focus of investigation.
But on Tuesday, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there was no indication that the men had received formal training during the November trip to Mindanao, Philippines.
“There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an attack,” Barrett told a news conference.
She added that the findings were from an initial assessment, and authorities in Australia and the Philippines were continuing their investigation.
“I am not suggesting that they were there for tourism,” she said, referring to the Philippines trip.
Charges against Bondi attacker
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the attack, while his son Naveed, who was also shot by police, was charged with 59 offenses after waking from a coma days after the attack. Naveed Akram faces charges ranging from 15 counts of murder to terror and explosives offenses.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected pleas for a federal royal commission into the Hanukkah Bondi attack, saying it would be too slow and would re-platform “the worst voices.”
Despite multiple calls from the victims’ families, politicians, and rabbis for a royal commission to be opened, Albanese said on Monday that it is “in the national interest to do the Richardson Review on national security” instead.
The Richardson review will be carried out by Dennis Richardson, a former secretary of defense, secretary of foreign affairs, head of intelligence agencies, and ambassador to the United States.
“The Richardson review will be able to look at any issues related to the events on December 14, the atrocity that was committed,” Albanese said.
“[Richardson] is the most experienced person who can have a look quickly, sharply, go through with the experience that he has, to determine any further actions that the Commonwealth government requires, or, indeed, he will talk as well with not just New South Wales, but other state agencies, if required.”
Mathilda Heller contributed to this report.