The two gunmen who attacked Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, are a father and son. Police said they used legally purchased firearms in the attack. A total of six weapons were recovered in the incident.
According to police, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who was involved in the attack, was arrested at the scene with serious injuries and sent to the hospital. His 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene.
Local media outlet The Sydney Morning Herald has released the names of the father and son. However, police have not yet officially named the attackers. It has not been reported from which country they immigrated to Australia.
The two gunmen attacked Bondi Beach on Sunday evening during the Jewish Hanukkah festival. Fifteen people were killed, and dozens were injured.
Police said Sajid Akram had a firearms license and had six registered weapons with him. Police have recovered all the weapons. Four weapons, including a rifle and a shotgun, were recovered from the scene. The remaining two were seized during a search of a house in Campsie, southwest of Sydney.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Naveed Akram worked as a bricklayer. He came under the surveillance of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in October 2019. He was monitored for six months due to his connections with some people.
An ABC News report said that as part of a counter-terrorism investigation, he was suspected of being involved in a unit of the Islamic State (IS). However, no evidence of any involvement in violence or threats against him was later found.
New South Wales State Police Commissioner Mal Lenyon said that Sajid and Naveed Akram lived in another house in Bonnyrigg, west of Sydney. A raid was also carried out there last night.
Mal Lanyon added that it is not yet clear whether the two men carried out yesterday's attack in a planned manner. He confirmed that Sajid Akram has had a weapons licence for a decade.
New South Wales state Premier Chris Means said it was almost certain that gun laws would be changed. Police were investigating how such a terrorist attack could have been carried out using a licensed weapon.
Although police did not confirm the names of the attackers to The Guardian Australia, they did release information about their ages, residences and Sajid Akram's weapons license
Before the attack, Naveed Akram worked as a bricklayer. His employer said he had hired Naveed as an apprentice six years ago. Naveed was a hard worker. He never took a day off.
A few months ago, Naveed said he had broken his wrist while wrestling. He will not be able to work until 2026. He demanded all his salary, allowances, contractual dues and annual leave. Usually, employees ask for these at the end of the year. And because of this, ‘I was forced to think what he would do with so much money.’
On condition of anonymity, the employer added that Navid was a very calm person. In masonry work, everyone usually works in teams, and there is a lot of talking between them. But Navid did not mix with others outside of work. He even ate lunch alone
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The employer added that he had heard that Navid’s parents had separated and that he was closer to his father.
He denied the claim that Navid had lost his job. In his words, he wanted Navid to return to work despite his wrist injury.
The employer said, ‘He used to do some boxing outside of work. The doctor told him to rest for a few months. I asked him if he could come back a little early. Because he was a good worker, I didn't want to lose him.'
Police and journalists were also seen in front of Naveed and Sajid's house in the Banirig area on Monday morning. The house has been surrounded by blue tape. Police cars have been deployed in front of the house.
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