Who is Naveed Akram? 24-year-old Pakistani-origin man identified in Bondi Beach shooting

Naveed Akram.

Australian authorities have identified one of the gunmen involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting as Naveed Akram, a 24-year-old man of Pakistani origin, Australian media reported on Monday.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), citing a law enforcement source, said the gunman was identified as Naveed Akram, a resident of Sydney’s south-western suburb of Bonnyrigg. Police raided his home on Sunday evening as part of the investigation.

According to the Daily Mail, Akram’s family has owned the Bonnyrigg property for about a year. However, there are unverified claims on Twitter that Akram is a former topper of Pak Army Public School. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the claims.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Akram is a Muslim man of Pakistani origin and had studied at Central Queensland University in Sydney. He was also previously associated with Hamdard University in Islamabad and the Al Murad Institute.

What happened at Bondi Beach

At least twelve people were killed when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish community event at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, Australian officials said. The attack took place during “Chanukah by the Sea”, a public gathering marking the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Hundreds of people were present at the beachfront park when the shooting began.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said one gunman was shot dead during an exchange of fire with police, while the second suspect was arrested and remains in critical condition. At least 29 people were injured in the attack, including two police officers.

Authorities said one of the attackers was previously known to security agencies, though no further details were released.

Chabad confirmed that one of those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and one of the key organisers of the event. Rabbi Schlanger had served the Bondi community for over 18 years and was closely involved in Jewish outreach activities in the area.

Investigation ongoing

Australian officials said the motive behind the attack is still under investigation. While the shooting comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia over the past year, authorities have not formally linked Sunday’s attack to those earlier incidents.

Police said multiple lines of inquiry are being pursued, including the attackers’ background, possible networks, and whether the attack was planned.