Bondi Beach Shooting: A Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach turned deadly when two gunmen opened fire on the crowd. At least eleven people were killed, shocking the nation. Police have now identified one suspect and confirmed the attack was an act of terrorism.
Who Are the Suspects?
One of the gunmen was shot dead at the scene, while the other remains critically injured. Australian broadcaster ABC News, citing anonymous police officials, reports the identified suspect is Naveed Akram. It is not yet confirmed whether Akram is the deceased or the injured gunman. Following the attack, police raided a home linked to Akram in the suburb of Bonnyrigg as part of their urgent investigation.
What Did the Police Reveal?
Authorities confirmed that one of the attackers was “known to us,” but emphasized he was not considered an imminent threat before the shooting. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated the individual had “very, very little knowledge to the police” and was not someone they were actively monitoring. The head of Australia’s domestic spy agency, ASIO’s Mike Burgess, echoed this, noting the person was known but not from a counter-terrorism perspective, prompting a deep investigation into the attack’s motives and potential connections.
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Was There a Third Attacker?
Police said early reports suggesting a third gunman have not been confirmed. The investigation is still ongoing, with officers carefully reconstructing what happened. Commissioner Lanyon urged people not to speculate or seek revenge, saying this is a time to let police do their job.
Why is This Now a Terrorist Investigation?
A critical development escalated the case. Authorities discovered an IED inside a vehicle connected to the deceased attacker. This, along with other suspicious items found in the area, prompted police to declare the mass shooting a terrorist attack. Specialist officers have created an exclusion zone to safely check all materials, pointing to the planned and dangerous nature of the violence.
Immediate FAQs
Q: How many people were killed?
A: At least eleven people were killed in the shooting.
Q: Have any suspects been arrested?
A: One suspect was shot dead at the scene. The other is critically injured and in custody. Police have not made any additional arrests.
Q: What was the motive?
A: The investigation is ongoing. The discovery of an explosive device led police to declare it a terrorist attack, but specific motives are not yet public.
Q: Was the public in ongoing danger?
A: Police have secured the scene and established an exclusion zone. They believe there is no ongoing threat to the community from this incident.
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