Sydney: Australian police have alleged that the man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach underwent firearms training with his father in regional New South Wales prior to the attack, according to details revealed in court documents cited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
The allegations were outlined in a police statement of facts that became public after the accused, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, appeared via video link in a Sydney court on Monday from his hospital bed. Akram was injured during the incident and remains under medical care.
Investigators claim that Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, had practiced using weapons outside Sydney and had also recorded a video in which they discussed what police describe as their “justification” for the attack. The incident occurred on December 14 during a Jewish community gathering at Bondi Beach.
According to the statement referenced by ABC, the two men allegedly hurled four improvised explosive devices toward the crowd during the event. None of the devices detonated. Police responding to the scene shot and killed the father, while the son was wounded and taken into custody.
Authorities say the attack resulted in the deaths of 15 people, making it one of the deadliest incidents of violence in the city in recent years. The New South Wales court media unit said it was unable to immediately provide an official copy of the police statement.
Naveed Akram was formally charged last week with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one charge related to committing a terrorist act. He remains under police guard as the legal process continues.
The case has sent shockwaves across Australia, prompting renewed scrutiny of extremist violence and security at public gatherings.
