Accused Bondi Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Say.

The two alleged attackers responsible for the lethal incident at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, according to national authorities.

Police also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved arriving in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.

No Evidence of Training During Stay

Investigators have stated the duo did not receive any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from Philippine officials indicate they "rarely left" their accommodation.

The shooting—labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.

"Our teams are actively examining the material," the commissioner said, noting that preliminary evaluations indicate that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have been lone actors."

National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic investigators.

"There is no evidence to indicate these alleged offenders were part of a wider terrorist cell, or were acting on orders from overseas entities to carry out an act of violence," the police chief said.

Yet, the duo were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, Commissioner Barrett added. She stressed that, since the probe is ongoing, additional details could surface.

Ideology and Legal Proceedings

In prior statements, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it seems both accused attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" 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 targeted attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.

Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.

Immigration Details

In the wake following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.

The two had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.

Davao is a sprawling metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. Historically, Militant groups have reportedly operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.