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Australian authorities have chosen not to release any information regarding the motives behind a terror attack allegedly carried out by a father-and-son pair.
The New South Wales Police reported that the death toll from the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, has increased to 16. The incident left 42 individuals needing medical attention, with two subsequently passing away. Among those who lost their lives were a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Currently, five individuals are in critical condition. Additionally, four police officers sustained gunshot injuries and remain in serious condition.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon identified the suspects as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Naveed is in police custody after suffering critical injuries, while his father was killed during the attack.
Authorities have, so far, withheld information concerning the suspects’ ethnicity or nationality. Commissioner Lanyon also stated that no details regarding the attack’s motive will be released at this time.
“We’re still very early in the investigation, we’re happy to provide information,” Lanyon said. “I want to give our investigators the opportunity to investigate thoroughly without speculation. We heard a lot information was coming forward. I want to make sure it’s accurate… our investigation will be thorough.”
The police chief did disclose that the 50-year-old man had a license for a firearm for approximately 10 years despite Australia’s strict gun control laws. Lanyon also said that police were aware of the 24-year-old suspected shooter, but did not have any indication that he was planning an attack.
It has also been reported that police have raided a residence tied to the two suspects in the Sydney suburb of Campsie. It is unclear how long the pair have lived at the property, which is believed to have been an Airbnb.
At a press conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack at the Bondi beach Hanukkah celebration as an “act of pure evil”.
“This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community,” he said.
Albanese has faced criticism for refusing to comment on whether the attack was inspired by radical Islam.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “We all know what it is. We all know the Jewish community is under attack.”
Current Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused Albanese of having poured fuel on the “fire of antisemitism” in Australia by backing Palestinian statehood in September.
U.S. President Trump denounced the “antisemitic attack” in Sydney while urging Jewish Americans to “be proud of who you are – celebrate proudly” during Hanukkah.
