Draft:Naveed Akram
2025 Bondi Beach shooting Sajid Akram
References
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[edit]
The late | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 February 1975 |
| Died | 14 December 2025 (aged 50) |
Cause of death | Shot dead by police |
Burial place | Disputed |
| Citizenship | Indian citizen and Australian permanent resident |
| Occupation | Fruit shop owner |
Criminal penalty | Killed to stop attack in progress |
Criminal status | Deceased |
| Spouse | Married 2001; Separated 2025 |
| Children | Naveed Akram (12 August 2001) |
| Relatives | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Alleged terrorist activities | |
| Known for | Alleged gunman in the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting |
| Movement | Ideology of the Islamic State |
| Opponents | Disarmed by
Accused by |
| Motive | Gaza war and genocide |
Capture status | Killed during the attack |
| Accomplices |
|
| Details | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Killed | 15 + Akram shot by police |
| Injured | 40 + his son shot by police |
| Weapons | Licensed gun owner |
Date apprehended |
|
| Mass shooting and attempted bombing | |
Sajid Akram (10 February 1975, Hyderabad – 14 December 2025, Sydney)[1] was shot dead by New South Wales Police during the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting. Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, allegedly carried out the mass shooting at Archer Park, Bondi Beach, East Sydney on 14 December 2025. Naveed was also shot by police, but Naveed survived and is currently imprisoned at Goulburn Correctional Centre awaiting trial.
Firearms
[edit]According to Sajid's brother in law (Naveed's maternal uncle), Sajid first expressed an interest in obtaining a gun license in 2010.[2]
Alleged motives
[edit]See also
[edit]- 2005 Cronulla riots – Ethnic and religious riot in Sydney
- Christchurch mosque shootings – Mass shooting that killed 3 men from Hyderabad
- Gun laws of Australia
- Hyderabad State – Princely state in southern India (1724–1948)
- Tareq Kamleh – Australian physician who worked for Islamic State Health Service
- Neil Christopher Prakash – Alleged ISIL member born in Melbourne
- Religious violence in India
Reference
[edit]- ↑ Maiden, Samantha (22 December 2025). "Police statement of facts against alleged Bondi gunman revealed in court". NZ Herald. New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026.
The police facts state that the 24-year-old is charged with committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder, discharge firearm with intent, display prohibited symbol, causing explosives to be placed in or near building, conveyance or public place. 'About 6.50pm on Sunday, 14 December 2025, the accused and his father [Sajid] born 10 February 1975 attended the vicinity of Bondi Beach, New South Wales', the document states.
- ↑ Connaughton, Maddison (13 March 2026). "01 The Road to Bondi". ABC listen. Father and Son. Radio National, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ↑ Duffin, Nick McKenzie, Paul Sakkal, Perry (23 April 2026). "Authorities suspect Gaza war drove Bondi shooter to terror". The Sydney Morning Herald.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
First drafts and alternate versions
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| Education | Sydney, Australia (high school, trade, and religious) |
|---|---|
Criminal charges | 59 charges
|
| Mother | Italian-Australian |
| Relatives | Italian-Australian mother and other relatives |
| 2025 Bondi Beach shooting | |
| Other name | Bondi Beach massacre |
| Style | |
| Movement | Islamic State movement |
| Allegiance | Islamic State |
| Motive | |
| Trial | Downing Centre (Downing Centre Local Court) |
| Details | |
| Date | 14 December 2025 18:42 - 18:48 (AEDT, UTC+11:00) |
| Locations | Archer Park, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia |
| Target | Jewish Australians at a community Hannukah event |
| Killed | 15 + father killed by police |
| Injured | 40 + Naveed Akram shot by police [verification needed] |
| Weapons |
|
Date apprehended | 14 December 2025, shot and taken to hospital unconscious |
| Mass shooting and attempted bombing | |
| Father: Sajid Akram (alleged accomplice) | |
| Born | 10 February 1975 India (family in Hyderabad) |
| Died | 14 December 2025 (aged 50) Bondi Beach, Eastern Sydney |
Cause of death | Shot dead by police |
| Citizenship | Indian citizen and Australian permanent resident |
| Spouse | Naveed's Italian-Australian mother (separated in 2025) |
| Born | 1974 or 1975 India (family in Hyderabad) |
|---|---|
| Details | |
Span of crimes | Alleged ISIS support sice 2019 – 2025 |
Naveed Akram's maternal uncle had a somewhat tense relationship with his brother-in-law (Naveed's father), in an interview with Radio National Naveed Akram's maternal uncle vividly recalled that his sister (Naveed's mother) would not let him bring beer into the Akram family home, even when Sajeed Akram was not home.[1]
That's when he believes the father and son turned to Islam.
"I think he was born Christian and then I think his old man turned, But I don't think that's the issue, I think it more just comes down to the individual... I think we can't just paint every Islamic person with the same brush, you know what I mean. It's not an Islamic issue, he's just a sick individual".
The family took pride in religious milestones, such as his mother's confirmation.[1]
Naveed's brother visited him in prison.[2]
She has owned the family home in Bonnyrigg since Sajid assigned his share to her in 2024.[3][4] Associates of Sajid described him as a controlling father and husband, and very secretive.[1][4] According to Akram's maternal uncle, Akram's father first expressed an interest in obtaining a gun license in 2010.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Connaughton, Maddison (13 March 2026). "01 The Road to Bondi". ABC listen. Father and Son. Radio National, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- 1 2 Livingstone, Helen (17 March 2026). "Naveed Akram: Alleged Bondi gunmen's family have received death threats". www.bbc.com. Sydney, via the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 7 May 2026.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
The Nightly-2025was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - 1 2 Cite error: The named reference
Robertsonwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).
https://www.cdpp.gov.au/prosecution-naveed-akram/court-updates
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Naveed Akram | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 August 2001 |
| Citizenship | Australian citizen |
| Alma mater | Cabramatta High School |
| Occupation | Bricklayer |
| Era | War on terror |
| Known for | Alleged gunman in the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting |
Criminal charges | 59 counts
|
Criminal status | Imprisoned; Awaiting trial |
| Father | Sajid Akram (alleged accomplice) |
| Accused of the Bondi Beach shooting | |
| Other name | Bondi Beach massacre |
| Notable work | Video manifesto (unreleased) |
| Style | Lone wolf terrorism |
| Opponents | Before the shooting
During the shooting
|
| Allegiance | Pledged allegiance to the Islamic State |
| Trial | Downing Centre |
| Accomplice | Sajid Akram (father) |
| Details | |
| Victims |
|
| Date | 14 December 2025 18:42 – 18:48 (AEDT, UTC+11:00) |
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Locations | Archer Park, Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Target | A celebration of Hannukah hosted by Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger |
| Killed | 16 (including his father) |
| Injured | 41 (including Naveed Akram) |
| Weapons | Mass shooting and attempted bombing
|
Date apprehended | 14 December 2025 |
| Imprisoned at | Goulburn Correctional Centre |
| Father: Sajid Akram | |
| Born | 10 February 1975 India (family in Hyderabad) |
| Died | 14 December 2025 (aged 50) Bondi Beach, Eastern Sydney |
Cause of death | Shot dead by police |
| Citizenship | Indian citizen and Australian permanent resident |
| Spouse | Naveed's Italian-Australian mother (married 2001, separated in 2025)) |
| Children | Naveed Akram and his siblings |
| Details | |
| Weapons | Licensed gun owner |
Naveed Akram (born 12 August 2001, Sydney, Australia) allegedly carried out a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, with his father Sajid Akram. Both men were shot at the scene by New South Wales Police, and his father was killed. Naveed Akram survived after first aid from police and further medical care at a Sydney hospital. He is currently imprisoned at Goulburn Correctional Centre awaiting trial.
Early life and family
[edit]Akram was born in Sydney, Australia on 12 August 2001.[1][2] Akram and his mother are both Australian-born citizens, and his father was an Australian permanent resident.[3]
Akram's mother's family were devoutly religious Catholics, who migrated to Australia from Italy.[4] The family took pride in religious milestones, such as his mother's confirmation.[4]
Akram attended Cabramatta High School, a secular government funded school in South Western Sydney.[5]
After the Bondi attack, The Jerusalem Post reported that there was nothing on his social media profiles to indicate extremist beliefs.[6]
Father
[edit]Naveed's father was Sajid Akram (10 February 1975).[7] Sajid was shot and killed by police at the scene of the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting.[8] Telangana Police reported that Sajid was an Indian national born into a Muslim[9] family in Hyderabad. He had migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa after completing a business degree in Hyderabad.[10][11][12] Sajid had no "adverse record" prior to his emigration, and his family in India appeared to be unaware of his "radical mindset or activities".[13] According to the Australian home affairs minister, Tony Burke, he transferred to a partner visa in 2001 and later obtained a resident return visa because he was an Australian permanent resident.[14]
Sajid was from an affluent, moderate, Muslim family in Hyderabad, India.[4][15] His brother, who lives in Hyderabad, said that his family in India cut ties with him after he married a Christian Italian-Australian woman, Naveed's mother, in 2001.[16][8][10][17] Naveed's mother's family were devoutly religious Catholics who had migrated to Australia from Italy.[4] Sajid was estranged from Naveed's mother at the time of the attack. She has owned the family home in Bonnyrigg since Sajid assigned his share to her in 2024.[8][15] Associates of Sajid described him as a controlling father and husband, and very secretive.[4][15] According to Akram's maternal uncle, Akram's father first expressed an interest in obtaining a gun license in 2010.[4]
ASIO investigations and watchlist
[edit]The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general, Mike Burgess stated that Naveed was known to ASIO in 2019.[18] This was most likely in association with a July 2019 investigation into Islamic State's Sydney cell leader, Isaac El Matari.[18] Naveed followed radical Islamic preacher William Haddad (known as "Wissam Haddad" and "Abu Ousayd"),[19] who was found to have violated Australia's racial hatred laws in July 2025.[20][21][22] Several men linked to Haddad have been convicted of terrorism-related offences, but none had carried out attacks.[23] Naveed was investigated in relation to these connections and authorities concluded he was not a high-risk member of the network.[24][25] In response to a Four Corners investigation in 2026, ASIO defended their 2019 investigation and criticised a former undercover agent the ABC used as a source.[26]
Firearms
[edit]Needed's father had a firearms licence, was the registered owner of six guns, and was a member of a shooting club, Zastava Hunting Association.[27][28][29] Naveed had trained at the same shooting club.[30][29] The Serbian Times said the Naveed had a membership card, but quoted the Zastava club president as saying "we haven't seen him for five years".[31]
Bondi Beach shooting
[edit]The alleged shooters were a father and son duo: 50-year-old Sajid[32] and 24-year-old Naveed Akram (born 12 August 2001).[33][3] Sajid was a fruit shop owner and Naveed an unemployed bricklayer.[34] Australian National University (ANU) radicalisation expert Clarke Jones said that it is unusual for a father and son to attack together, he said that in all the cases he had seen, "families are the protective factors, the ones who minimise the chances of a young person going out and doing crazy stuff". However, Levi West, an ANU expert in countering violent extremism, said "If the two are on board, they are driving each other."[35] Associates and experts who spoke to the ABC's Background Briefing said that Sajid might have radicalised his son.[4][15]
Injuries and medical care
[edit]After being shot at the scene, Naveed was hospitalised in critical condition and woke from a coma two days later on 17 December.[23] He is being held on remand in Goulburn Supermax, having been charged with 59 offences, including 15 murders.[36]
Motive and manifesto
[edit]Police alleged that Akram and his father pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a manifesto video found on Akram's phone.[37]
Impact on family
[edit]Akram's mother and siblings have received death threats and aggressive harassment since Akram and his father were identified as the only suspects in the Bondi Beach attack.[38]
Criminal proceedings
[edit]Naveed Akram did not apply for Bail.[39] Criminal proceedings are scheduled to be held at Downing Centre Local Court.[40]
See also
[edit]- 2005 Cronulla riots – Ethnic and religious riot in Sydney
- Jake Bilardi – Australian teenager who carried out a suicide attack in Iraqi
- Martin Bryant – Australian mass shooter who killed 35 people in 1996
- Christchurch mosque shootings – Mass shooting by an Australian terrorist
- Demographics of Sydney – Akram's home city and location of his alleged crimes
- Tareq Kamleh – Australian physician who worked for Islamic State Health Service
- Neil Christopher Prakash – Alleged ISIL member born in Melbourne
- List of mass shootings in Australia
References
[edit]- ↑ https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880274
- ↑ "16 killed in terrorist attack during Jewish event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, one shooter identified". IndiaNewsTV. 14 December 2025. Archived from the original on 22 December 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
- 1 2 Atkinson, Emily; Sullivan, Helen; Watson, Katy; Atkinson, Simon (15 December 2025). "Bondi Beach: Father and son who killed 15 people, as PM pushes for tougher gun laws". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Connaughton, Maddison (13 March 2026). "01 The Road to Bondi". ABC listen. Father and Son. Radio National, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ↑ Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Sean; Taylor, Kyle (9 February 2026). "Ex-spy challenges ASIO's account of Bondi shooter's radicalisation". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026.
- ↑ https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880274
- ↑ Maiden, Samantha (22 December 2025). "Police statement of facts against alleged Bondi gunman revealed in court". NZ Herald. New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026.
The police facts state that the 24-year-old is charged with committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder, discharge firearm with intent, display prohibited symbol, causing explosives to be placed in or near building, conveyance or public place. 'About 6.50pm on Sunday, 14 December 2025, the accused and his father [Sajid] born 10 February 1975 attended the vicinity of Bondi Beach, New South Wales', the document states.
- 1 2 3 "Dead Bondi terrorist's body bombshell after wife's move". The Nightly. 22 December 2025. Archived from the original on 23 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ↑ Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Sean; Taylor, Kyle (9 February 2026). "Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram voiced support for Islamic State in 2019, former ASIO agent says". ABC News Australia. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- 1 2 Singh, Vijaita; Haidar, Suhasini (16 December 2025). "One of two Bondi Beach attackers is Indian, last visited Hyderabad in 2022: Indian officials". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ↑ Henry, Nikhila; Manral, Mahender Singh (16 December 2025). "Bondi beach shooters had links to Hyderabad: What we know about them so far". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ↑ Baker, McGowan & Bachelard 2025: "Sydney Morning Herald: "Akram was born in India, studied commerce at university there, and moved to Australia in 1998 on a student visa. Indian news outlets have quoted Akram's brother saying his family cut ties with him after he married..."
- ↑ "Bondi beach terror attack: Sajid Akram's family in India unaware of alleged 'radical mindset', local officials say". The Guardian. 16 December 2025.
- ↑ "Australia Bondi Beach shooting". CNN. 15 December 2025. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Robertson, Josh (1 May 2026). "Secrecy, 'manipulation' and a long interest in guns: Sajid Akram's road to Bondi". ABC News. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ Jahnavi (16 December 2025). Attar, Samrah (ed.). "Bondi Beach shooter's family in Hyderabad say they are shocked, cut ties years ago". The News Minute. Southern India. AAP (image credit). Archived from the original on 4 February 2026.
- ↑ Baker, Jordan; McGowan, Michael; Bachelard, Michael (19 December 2025). "A father, a son and the radical world of terror". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 December 2025.
- 1 2 Barton, Greg (15 December 2025). "Bondi Shooting: Could Australia's Worst Terrorist Attack on Home Soil Have Been Prevented?". The Diplomat (magazine). Archived from the original on 4 January 2026.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director-General Mike Burgess has said one of the alleged gunmen was "known" to ASIO, though he did not specify which one. Being "known" to authorities can simply mean someone has been associated with networks and communications that have caused concern to authorities. The ABC has reported that Naveed Akram came to the attention of authorities after the arrest of Islamic State Sydney cell leader Isaac El Matari in July 2019.
- ↑ "Bondi Beach shooting gunman Naveed Akram was follower of pro-Islamic State preacher Wisam Haddad". Radio New Zealand. 16 December 2025. Archived from the original on 29 December 2025.
(ASIO were) concerned about Naveed Akram's association with an IS youth recruiter... [who was] later jailed for nearly four years for encouraging Australian minors to launch attacks while acting as a youth leader at Mr Haddad's prayer centre...
- ↑ Dellerba, Isabelle (16 December 2025). "Police suspect Sydney gunmen were 'inspired by Islamic State'". Le Monde. Archived from the original on 16 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ McKinnell, Jamie (1 July 2025). "Federal Court orders series of Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad's lectures be removed from social media". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ↑ Doherty, Ben (1 July 2025). "Federal court orders Sydney Muslim cleric to remove 'racist and antisemitic' lectures from social media". The Guardian.
- 1 2 Duffin, Perry; Rawsthorne, Sally; Rachwani, Mostafa; McGowan, Michael (16 December 2025). "Bondi shooter's terror links revealed as police investigate manifesto". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ↑ Rice, Stephen; Mendes, Liam (16 December 2025). "Bondi terror suspect linked to Islamic State through jihadi preacher network". The Australian. Retrieved 16 December 2025. [better source needed]
- ↑ Barton, Greg (15 December 2025). "Australia is reeling from the worst terrorist attack on home soil. Could it have been prevented?". The Conversation.
The ABC has reported that Naveed Akram came to the attention of authorities after the arrest of Islamic State Sydney cell leader Isaac El Matari in July 2019.
- ↑ Jaspan, Calum; Cubby, Ben (9 February 2026). "ASIO v ABC: Broadcaster stands by Bondi investigation after spy agency rebuke". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ Fell, Julian (16 December 2025). "The Bondi shooter only had a basic gun licence. How could he buy multiple high-powered rifles?". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Bucci, Nino; Beazley, Jordyn (16 December 2025). "Bondi beach terror attack: father and son duo allegedly used licensed firearms in shooting". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- 1 2 Taylor, Hayley (15 December 2025). "Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram had firearm licence and gun club membership". 7News. Seven Network. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Callinan, Rory (18 December 2025). "Bondi gunman Naveed Akram trained in firearm safety and hunting, Sydney shooting club president reveals". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 January 2026. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ ""WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIM FOR FIVE YEARS": A Serbian hunting club membership card was found on the Sydney terrorist! | Serbiantimes.info EN". Serbian Times. 15 December 2025. Archived from the original on 30 January 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ↑ Maiden, Samantha. "Police statement of facts against 24-year-old alleged Bondi gunman Naveed Akram revealed in court". news.com.au. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Thomson, Angus (14 December 2025). "16 dead, including child: health minister". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ Shorten, Kristin (15 December 2025). "Every detail you need to know about the Bondi gunmen". The Nightly. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ↑ Bachelard, Michael; Baker, Jordan; McGowan, Michael (19 December 2025). "A father, a son and the radical world of terror". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ↑ Braddish, Kimberley (5 January 2026). "Alleged Bondi shooter moved to Supermax prison". The Nightly. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bondi Beach gunmen had pledged allegiance to Islamic State group". www.euronews.com. 15 December 2025. Archived from the original on 19 February 2026.
The men had reportedly pledged allegiance to the radical Islamic State group (IS) and flags of the terrorist group were found in their car where police also discovered at least two improvised explosive devices.
- ↑ Livingstone, Helen (17 March 2026). "Naveed Akram: Alleged Bondi gunmen's family have received death threats". www.bbc.com. Sydney, via the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 7 May 2026.
- ↑ https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/police-statement-of-facts-against-24yearold-alleged-bondi-gunman-naveed-akram-revealed-in-court/news-story/07379339ad22b64d9f427ad78b83b42f
- ↑ "Prosecution of Naveed Akram | Court updates". www.cdpp.gov.au. Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. 6 May 2026. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026.
External links
[edit]- "Prosecution of Naveed Akram". The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP), Australian government. 6 May 2026. Archived from the original on 7 May 2026.
- "Prosecution of Naveed Akram | Court updates". www.cdpp.gov.au. Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. 6 May 2026. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026.