The Australian police have identified a father and son as the alleged perpetrators behind a targeted antisemitic attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Sydney's Bondi Beach, which resulted in the deaths of 15 victims and one of the gunmen.
The alleged gunmen were a 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram (killed at the scene, bringing the total dead to 16), and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram (in critical condition). Authorities have described the Sunday shooting as a targeted antisemitic attack.
The 15 victims were aged between 10 and 87. Forty people, including two police officers, remain hospitalized. A 43-year-old fruit shop owner, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, was hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the attackers, saving lives. He was shot twice and is recovering in hospital. A fundraising page has raised over A$350,000 for him.
The father had a firearms license since 2015 and six licensed weapons. He arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, and his son is Australian-born. Police are investigating their background.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the event as "an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism," urging Australians to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. The attack is the worst gun violence in Australia since 1996.
Comment
