The alleged perpetrator of the Bondi Beach terror attack is reportedly stable and will soon be transferred from hospital to a correctional facility. This development comes as Sydney prepares to mark one week since the horrific massacre that claimed the lives of fifteen people and left forty others injured.
Details of the Bondi Beach Attack
The attack occurred at approximately 6:40pm on Sunday at the Chanukah by the Sea event, which was celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. According to police allegations, Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, opened fire on the gathered crowd.
The victims, whose ages ranged from 10 to 87 years old, were killed in what authorities have described as the worst anti-Semitic crime in Australia's history. Following a shootout with police, Sajid Akram was killed, while his son Naveed was critically injured and taken to hospital.
Charges and Investigation Progress
Naveed Akram awoke from a coma on Tuesday and was subsequently charged on Wednesday with a total of 59 offences. These charges include:
- 15 counts of murder
- 40 counts of attempted murder
- One count of committing a terrorist act
- One count of discharging a firearm in public
- One count of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol
- One count of placing an explosive in or near a building with intent to cause harm
On Saturday, just six days after the attack, Akram was deemed medically stable, paving the way for his transfer to prison where he will remain until his court appearance scheduled for April next year. The body of his father remains at the coroner's office.
Ongoing Police Response and Community Impact
Counter-terrorism police conducted further raids on Friday night as part of the expansive investigation into the attack. In a significant show of force, NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police have deployed an additional 1000 officers to protect the community, with a visible presence both on the ground and in the air across Sydney.
A multi-agency taskforce is now probing the how and why behind the Bondi Beach massacre. Former police officer Robert Critchlow emphasised the heightened vigilance, stating, "Anybody who is subject to hatred or violence is going to be really in the crosshairs of the police."
The city continues to reel from the tragedy, with vigils and memorials being held to honour the victims and support the grieving Jewish community and all those affected by the violence.
