The funerals for the victims began the same day authorities announced charges against the living suspect.
Authorities in Australia charged Naveed Akram with 15 counts of murder on Tuesday after he opened fire in a mass-casualty attack at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration. Investigators said the suspect carried out the attack in broad daylight, prompting a rapid police response and the death of Akram’s father. Akram faced the murder charges – as well as 40 counts of intent to commit harm – shortly after waking from a coma. Authorities confirmed Akram and his father were ISIS supporters and intentionally targeted Jewish attendees.
Video shows the gunmen opening fire on spectators and beachgoers before he was stopped and disarmed by a bystander, who survived with mild injuries. Shortly after, police arrived and neutralized 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence as a “senseless act of terror,” vowing that law enforcement would pursue “every lead” to determine the motive and prevent further attacks. It was the most recent in a long line of attacks against the Jewish faith since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel.
“Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution that they make to our great nation,” Albanese said in his statement. “The terrorists, inspired by ISIS… sought to turn Australians against each other. Australians have responded to that act of hatred with love and sympathy for those in mourning.” Albanese later promised his administration would crack down on hate speech and said they would pursue new laws to curb “hate, division and radicalization.”
Authorities say Naveed Akram is expected to appear in court this week as investigators continue probing his past. Family members of the Akram’s say they were “unaware” of Sajid’s radicalization, and the two had not given any hints before the attack. New South Wales Police said they are coordinating with federal agencies to determine whether the attack was linked to any broader network or online radicalization, while officials in Sydney increased patrols around beaches, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions. Earlier reports suggest a tip to police that an attack may occur, but authorities have since found no correlation between the tip and the Bondi beach attack.
Investigators said they are still working to determine how the suspect became radicalized, but early findings point to online activity and ideological fixation in the months leading up to the attack. Officials cautioned that no final conclusions were reached yet, though they are examining the suspect’s digital footprint and contacts. The public statements by the father-son duo strongly point to antisemitism. Some reports surfaced that showed both Sajid and Naveed in Sydney on a street corner, attempting to convert locals to Islam several years earlier.
Funeral services for the victims are scheduled to continue throughout the week, with several ceremonies planned in Sydney and surrounding communities. Authorities said security will remain heightened at services and memorials as families gather to mourn. Certain political leaders and representatives from Jewish organizations and charities are expected to attend in support of the victims, though Prime Minister Albanese was reportedly absent from a previous ceremony.
