Probe intensifies into motives for ‘barbaric attack’
Counter-terrorism investigators are examining piles of seized material as they try to uncover how the father-son attackers carried out an atrocity that killed 15 people and injured many more.
Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, opened fire on scores of people celebrating the Jewish festival of lights at Bondi Beach on Sunday night.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the pre-planned actions were a “barbaric attack on Australian Jews”.
“It appears that the alleged killers are only interested in seeking a death tally,” he told reporters.
Senior police said early indications pointed to a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State.
There was no evidence to suggest other people were involved in the attack, but he cautioned that this was an initial assessment and could change.
“The alleged evidence provided investigators with a range of information that enabled them to make this initial assessment of those allegedly involved and their motivations,” Ms Barrett said.
He said the NSW joint counter-terrorism team was continuing to examine material seized during search warrants.
Police shot Sajid Akram dead and his son remains hospitalized in critical condition under police guard.
There are 22 injured patients in Sydney hospitals, three in critical condition and six in critical but stable condition.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said officers found two homemade Islamic State flags in a car registered to Naveed, where they also defused two improvised explosive devices.
The official confirmed that the couple traveled to the Philippines, but noted that the reasons for the trip were still being investigated.
“We are and will continue to work on the cause of this tragedy. It’s really important that our investigators are given time to do this,” Mr Lanyon said.
“This is a very complex investigation.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to provide further details when pressed about intelligence sharing from Manila.
Mr Lanyon was questioned about why Sajid Akram was allowed to carry six long firearms four years after his son came to ASIO’s attention over his links to a radical Islamist preacher in Sydney.
According to the latest official figures, approximately 260,000 gun permits have been issued statewide.
Premier Chris Minns stepped in to defend the police force, saying adequate resources had been allocated to end the shootings.
“(Police officers) engaged gunmen on the footbridge with pistols, the criminals had long-range rifles,” Mr Minns told reporters.
“There are two police officers in intensive care… they were not shot from behind as they were running away, they were shot from the front.”
He signaled parliament would be recalled to pass tougher gun laws before Christmas, as he urged the people of NSW to continue donating more blood to victims.
Mr Albanese said national laws would be strengthened to limit the number of guns per person and the citizenship requirements to own them.
“The nature of our gun laws means that they are only as strong as the weakest link,” he said.
Authorities have stepped up security around Jewish sites as well as the Adelaide Oval ahead of Wednesday’s Test cricket match.
The 15 Bondi victims included a 10-year-old girl, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, a retired police officer and a father who ran at the gunmen and threw bricks.
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