The investigation into the tragic terror attack that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach reached a critical juncture on Wednesday, as the surviving gunman, Naveed Akram (24), regained consciousness after being in a coma.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed to radio station 2GB that police teams were expected to begin questioning the suspect immediately, a development that may shed light on the planning and motivation behind the massacre.
First Victim Farewelled Amid Heightened Security
The development coincided with the first funeral service for the victims, held under a stepped-up police presence in Bondi.
- Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of five, was laid to rest at a packed synagogue just a kilometer from the attack site.
- “It is unthinkable that we talk about you in the past tense,” said Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Schlanger’s father-in-law, during the emotional service.
- An outpouring of support for Schlanger’s family saw an online appeal raise more than A$570,000 (US$378,000) by midday Wednesday.
Terror Links and Background Details Emerge
Police and intelligence agencies have rapidly uncovered crucial details linking the father-son duo to extremist ideology and international movements:
| Suspect | Background Details |
| Sajid Akram (Deceased, 50) | Confirmed late Tuesday by Indian police as an Indian national originally from Hyderabad, Telangana. He completed a commerce degree there before migrating to Australia 27 years ago (in 1998) and had limited contact with family back home. |
| Naveed Akram (Surviving, 24) | Was investigated by Australia’s domestic intelligence agency in 2019. He had associations with members of a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell and was a known follower of radical Sydney cleric Wisam Haddad. |
ISIS Affiliations and Travel:
- Police confirmed finding homemade Islamic State flags in a vehicle registered to one of the gunmen.
- Officials in Manila revealed that the pair had traveled to an area of the Philippines last month where Islamic State-aligned groups are known to operate. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on ABC Radio that the reasons behind this visit remain under active investigation.
Albanese unequivocally stated on Wednesday, “This was ISIS-inspired extremist ideology leading to a terrorist attack” with tragic consequences for the Jewish community.
Gun License and Heroic Actions
Further investigation corrected initial police advice regarding the father’s firearm license. Commissioner Lanyon clarified that Sajid Akram received the license in 2023, not 2015, which is well after his son, Naveed, had been flagged and investigated by intelligence authorities.
Meanwhile, the community continues to honor the heroism displayed during the attack:
- Ahmed Al Ahmed, the 43-year-old father who tackled and disarmed one of the shooters, saw his GoFundMe page donations surpass $2.4 million at midday Wednesday.
As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, 22 people remained hospitalized in New South Wales. The sprawling memorial of flowers and candles near the attack site is expected to remain, with the official crime scene likely to be reopened to the public on Wednesday afternoon.