SYDNEY, Australia — New South Wales police have formally charged Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in Sunday’s devastating mass shooting at Bondi Beach, with 59 offences. The attack, which targeted a Jewish community gathering celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, resulted in 15 deaths and dozens of injuries.
Akram, 24, remains in critical condition after sustaining injuries during the incident. His father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene following an exchange of gunfire with police. Authorities have classified the massacre as the country’s deadliest shooting since 1996.
The charges filed against Naveed Akram include 15 counts of murder, one count of committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
He also faces a charge related to the public display of a symbol associated with a prohibited terrorist organization.
A bedside court hearing was conducted for the suspect, with the New South Wales court adjourning the case until April 2026.
Regarding the timing of the interrogation, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon explained on Wednesday that investigators were waiting for the effects of the suspect’s medication to subside.
“For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” Lanyon said.
International travel and motive
Police have officially designated the tragedy a terrorist incident. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attack appears to have been “motivated by Islamic State” group ideology.
Investigative leads revealed that the father and son traveled to the Philippines earlier this year.
According to the Philippine immigration bureau, the pair arrived on November 1 and departed on November 28, with their final destination being the southern city of Davao.
Border authorities in Manila confirmed that Naveed traveled on an Australian passport, while Sajid, originally from Hyderabad, India, utilized an Indian passport. Indian officials noted that Sajid had “limited contact” with his relatives in Hyderabad.
Victims and medical updates
As of Wednesday evening, 17 victims remain hospitalized across Sydney. One patient is in critical condition, while four others are listed as critical but stable.
The deceased include a Holocaust survivor, two rabbis, and a 10-year-old girl identified by her family as Matilda. Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple captured on video wrestling with one of the gunmen during the assault, were also among the dead.
Among the injured is 22-year-old police officer Jack Hibbert, who has permanently lost vision in one eye. His family released a statement noting that he faces a “long and challenging recovery”.
Community grief and political tensions
Mourners gathered on Wednesday for the funeral of British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had helped organize the Hanukkah event. Speaking at the service, Rabbi Levi Wolff eulogized his colleague, stating, “Eli was ripped away from us, doing what he loved best.”
He continued, “Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls.”
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Prime Minister Albanese faced criticism from the Jewish community regarding his absence at the funeral and his administration’s handling of antisemitism.
Defending his record, Albanese highlighted the appointment of an antisemitism envoy, stricter hate speech laws, and increased funding for security.
Addressing his absence at the service, the Prime Minister told ABC NewsRadio: “I would attend anything that I’m invited to. These are funerals that are taking place to farewell people’s loved ones.”
Funerals for the remaining victims, including 10-year-old Matilda, are scheduled to take place over the coming days.
