Key Points:
- 50-year-old father Sajid Akram and 24-year-old son Naveed Akram conducted the coordinated attack
- Naveed Akram, son of retired Pakistani General Sadiq Akram, joined ISIS months before the attack
- Father was shot dead by police, son seriously injured and under police guard in hospital
- Six licensed firearms and two improvised explosive devices were recovered at the scene
- Attack specifically targeted Jewish community during “Chanukah by the Sea” festival
New South Wales Police confirmed that 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, executed the terror attack at Bondi Beach. The father, who operated a fruit shop and held a valid firearms license for approximately 10 years, was killed by police during the confrontation. Naveed Akram, a Pakistani national and son of retired Pakistani Army General Sadiq Akram, is believed to have joined ISIS several months ago with his father’s facilitation. The young attacker, who worked as a bricklayer until being fired two months ago when his company went bankrupt, is now hospitalized under police guard.
Weapons and Explosives Recovered
Police discovered six licensed firearms registered to Sajid Akram at the crime scene, all of which investigators believe were used during the attack. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that two active improvised explosive devices were found and safely defused by authorities. An ISIS flag was also recovered from one suspect’s vehicle, providing clear evidence of the terror group’s ideological influence. The deceased father had legally accumulated his arsenal over his decade as a licensed gun owner, raising questions about firearms regulations.
Police Response and Officer Injuries
Two police officers were wounded during an exchange of gunfire with the attackers and remain hospitalized. Commissioner Lanyon stated that police are not seeking any additional suspects, confirming this was a contained two-person operation. The father and son had told family members they were going fishing on the southern coast, specifically mentioning Jervis Bay, before launching their attack on the crowded beach where over 1,000 people had gathered for the Hanukkah celebration. Police have since surrounded the family’s residence in Bonnyrigg, west of Sydney, as part of their ongoing investigation.[2]
Victims and Community Impact
The attack killed 16 people and injured more than 40 others, making it Australia’s deadliest terror incident in recent years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the gunmen deliberately targeted the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. The victims were attending the “Chanukah by the Sea” festival when the shooters opened fire on the crowd. In response, authorities have implemented strict security measures across Sydney and announced enhanced police presence at places of worship.
Family Denial and Background
Naveed Akram’s mother, Verena, has publicly claimed her son’s innocence, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that he called her on Sunday morning saying he had gone scuba diving and swimming. She described her son as an unemployed bricklayer who doesn’t own weapons, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes, and who wasn’t very social despite having many high school friends. Verena insisted her son only concerned himself with work and didn’t frequent questionable places, expressing shock at the attack. The family had purchased property in 2024, and Naveed was tagged in a 2022 social media post showing him at the Al-Murad Institute.
