The alleged gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach attack commenced their deadly assault by throwing explosives, according to newly released court documents. The attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration on December 14, left 15 people dead and dozens more injured when two gunmen opened fire. Explosive devices, including a so-called 'tennis ball bomb', failed to detonate.
Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, notably 15 counts of murder and one of terrorism. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police during the incident. The duo reportedly spent months meticulously planning the attack, conducting reconnaissance at Bondi Beach just two days prior.
A screenshot from a video found on Naveed Akram's phone allegedly shows firearms training conducted by his father, according to police testimonies.
Last week's court-imposed temporary suppression order protecting survivor identities has been lifted, revealing documents now containing some redactions. The documents detail several videos tracking the accused’s movements leading up to the attack. One, filmed in October on a mobile phone, allegedly depicts the suspects seated in front of an Islamic State (IS) flag. Their statements allegedly justify the attack as revenge against 'Zionists', according to police reports. In another clip, Naveed Akram reportedly recites a Quranic passage in Arabic.
Authorities claim other footage from October captures the father-son duo conducting firearms training in a rural New South Wales location, shooting shotguns tactically. CCTV captured their visit to Bondi Beach on December 12, evidence that police allege indicates premeditated planning for a terrorist act.
CCTV shows the Akrams allegedly engaged in reconnaissance two days before the Bondi Beach attack.
Per CCTV recordings at approximately 02:00 (15:00 GMT) on the attack day, two males were seen leaving a rented property in Campsie, Sydney, with long and bulky items, later identified as shotguns, a rifle, IEDs, and IS flags. They left the location around 17:00 (08:00 GMT) and were seen arriving at Bondi Beach at 18:50 (09:50 GMT), where they displayed the flags on their car windows. They reportedly retrieved weapons and IEDs from the vehicle, advancing toward a footbridge from where they threw the explosives, none of which exploded.
Subsequently, the gunmen fired into the crowd, killing 14 on site and another victim later succumbing to injuries. During a confrontation with New South Wales Police, Sajid Akram was killed, while Naveed Akram was critically injured and, upon hospital discharge on Monday, was transferred to custody.
Police allege a homemade bomb was discovered in the boot of the Akrams' vehicle.