New South Wales Police have identified the two gunmen responsible for a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event near Sydney’s Bondi Beach as a father and son and say no other attackers were involved.
State media and local outlets named the pair as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Police said the father was fatally shot by officers at the scene, bringing the death toll to 16, while the son was wounded and remains in hospital under police guard in critical but stable condition. Forty people remain in hospital, including two police officers listed as serious but stable; victims range in age from 10 to 87.
Officials described Sunday’s attack as a targeted antisemitic incident. Witnesses said the shooting at the popular beach, crowded on a hot evening, lasted about 10 minutes and sent hundreds of people running along the sand and into nearby streets. Police estimated around 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event held in a small park off the beach.
Authorities said officers confronted the suspects during the attack, fatally shooting one and taking the other into custody after he was injured. Lanyon said investigators had progressed rapidly overnight and were satisfied there were only two offenders and that they were not seeking any further suspects.
Australia’s Home Minister said the father came to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and the son is Australian-born. CBS News, citing US intelligence officials briefed on the probe, reported the men were likely of Pakistani origin. Images circulating on social media allegedly show Sajid Akram’s New South Wales driver’s licence; authorities have not commented on their authenticity.
Family comments quoted Naveed’s mother, Verena, saying her son phoned earlier while holidaying with his father and describing him as quiet, law-abiding and not prone to violence. She said he did not drink or smoke, kept to himself and enjoyed fishing, scuba diving, swimming and exercise. Local reports said Naveed had been an unemployed bricklayer after his employer became insolvent about two months ago and that he attended Cabramatta High School.
Police continue to investigate the motive and have not yet formally classified the incident as terrorism. Security around Jewish community events has been increased and officials urged the public not to speculate as inquiries continue.
With inputs from agencies
