Accused Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Alone and Did Not Preparation in the Philippines, Investigators State.

The pair of accused gunmen responsible for the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, according to Australian police.

Authorities additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included landing in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.

No Evidence of Training During Stay

Investigators assert the individuals did not receive any form of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Early investigations from Philippine officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.

The attack—labeled as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially classified as a terrorist incident.

"We are currently examining the material," she stated, explaining that early assessments suggest that "the two men are suspected to have acted alone."

Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.

"There is little to no indication to indicate these accused individuals were members of a wider organization, or were acting on orders from external parties to perpetrate an act of violence," the police chief said.

Yet, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She emphasized that, given that the investigation is continuing, additional details may come to light.

Ideology and Legal Proceedings

Previously, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused gunmen were "influenced by ISIS" beliefs.

During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with firearms—are accused of having shot attendees at the Jewish festival event.

Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 charges. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is expected to appear in court in April.

Immigration Particulars

In the wake following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.

The duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a large city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. It is noted that, Islamist groups have been known to be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.