‘Ray of sunshine’: 10yo Bondi victim to be farewelled
The youngest victim of the Bondi Beach massacre will be sent off as authorities continue to build a case against the alleged terrorist.
Ten-year-old Matilda, remembered by her school for bringing joy to others and choreographing dances on the playground, was among 15 victims killed by two gunmen during Hanukkah celebrations.
A funeral service will be held at a memorial hall in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Not far from where he was killed, his family, originally from Ukraine, spoke of their heartbreaking loss at the Bondi Pavilion.
“I couldn’t imagine losing my daughter here,” her mother, Valentyna, told the growing crowd surrounded by a sea of floral gifts.
Her father, Michael, named her Matilda “because she was our first-born child in Australia.”
“I thought Matilda was the most Australian name there could be.
“So just remember, remember his name.”
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, are accused of firing long-armed weapons into the crowd on Sunday night.
Naveed, who was seriously injured and in a coma for days after being shot by police, was charged on Wednesday with 15 murders and one act of terrorism, one for each victim.
He did not attend or apply for bail during a brief hearing and the case was adjourned until April.
His father, a licensed gun owner, died at the scene.
Naveed is also charged with 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, a single discharge of a firearm in a public place, causing a prohibited terrorist symbol to be displayed in public, and placing explosives in or near a building with intent to cause damage.
NSW Police say initial indications point to an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators were forensically examining “significant digital material” and further search warrants would be executed.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison, who attended the memorial ceremony held at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue on Wednesday evening with Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, said the accusations were the first step towards closure.
“I expect there are at least fifty-nine charges,” he told AAP as he entered the synagogue.
Other victims included an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, a retired police officer and a father who threw bricks at gunmen, while dozens of others were injured.
17 people remain hospitalized, one of whom is in critical condition.
Four other people are in critical but stable condition, including Officer Scott Dyson, who underwent surgery Wednesday after being injured in the attack.
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