Who are Naveed and Sajid Akram: Pakistani father and son responsible for Bondi Beach shooting that killed 16

Naveed and Sajid Akram: Father-son duo behind Bondi Beach shooting that left 16 dead

A father and son have been accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest terrorist attack, opening fire on members of the Jewish community gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney, killing 16 and wounding over 40, including two police officers.

Authorities identified the attackers as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, a fruit shop owner, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, who was arrested at the scene and remains in critical but stable condition under police guard. Sajid was shot dead by police during the incident.

Police recovered six firearms from the scene and two improvised explosive devices, which were safely defused. Both men had been staying at a Campsie address, and their Bonnyrigg home was also searched. Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that no additional suspects were involved. “We are satisfied that there were two offenders involved in yesterday’s incident," he said.

The attack, which took place as over 1,000 people attended the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, has been declared a terrorist act. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “an act of pure evil,” while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns highlighted the deliberate targeting of Sydney’s Jewish community. Flags across Australia will be flown at half-staff to honor the victims.

Police investigations are ongoing, including forensic and ballistic examinations of the recovered firearms, as authorities seek to understand the motive behind the attack.

Commissioner Lanyon emphasized, “It’s important for the community to have the reassurance that New South Wales Police, working with our Commonwealth partners, will not stop until we understand the reasons behind this senseless incident and take any available action that we need to do.”

The father and son had reportedly told relatives they were going on a fishing trip to Jervis Bay before the attack, and very little is publicly known about their backgrounds. Sajid Akram had been a licensed firearms owner for about 10 years. The Bondi Beach shooting is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.