Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Alone and Received No Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators Say.

The pair of accused attackers responsible for the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per Australian law enforcement.

Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the capital Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.

Lack of Proof of Planning During Stay

Investigators have stated the individuals did not receive any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Initial findings from local officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.

The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a terrorist incident.

"We are currently analyzing the material," the commissioner said, adding that early assessments suggest that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been submitted to Australian authorities.

"There is little to no indication to indicate these alleged offenders were part of a larger terrorist cell, or were directed by overseas entities to execute an act of violence," she emphasized.

However, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, the official added. She stressed that, given that the investigation is continuing, new evidence may emerge.

Inspiration and Court Proceedings

Previously, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both accused attackers were "motivated by ISIS" beliefs.

During the shooting, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—are accused of having targeted participants at the Hanukkah event.

Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to face court in April.

Travel Particulars

In the wake following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.

The two had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a sprawling urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. The region is known because, Islamist groups have been known to operate in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.