Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced on Tuesday that a mass shooting that killed 15 individuals during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach was "a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State."
This declaration was based on evidence, including the discovery of Islamic State flags in a seized vehicle.
Authorities identified the suspects as a father, Sajid Akram (50), and his son (24). Sajid Akram was fatally shot, while his son is receiving hospital treatment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that these statements were based on collected evidence.
Mal Lanyon, Police Commissioner for New South Wales state, confirmed that a vehicle registered to the younger suspect contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags. Investigators are probing the suspects' travel to the Philippines from November 1 to November 28, where they listed Davao as their destination. Philippine authorities have noted a weakening of Muslim separatist militant groups, previously linked to ISIS, in the region.
The victims, aged 10 to 87, were attending a Hanukkah event on Sunday. Currently, 25 individuals remain hospitalized, with 10 in critical condition, including three children.
Ahmed al Ahmed, 42, a Syrian-born fruit shop owner, received praise for tackling and disarming one assailant. He is scheduled for further surgery for shotgun wounds. Prime Minister Albanese visited Mr. al Ahmed in the hospital, recognizing him as an "Australian hero."
Prime Minister Albanese and state leaders have committed to strengthening Australia's gun laws. This initiative would represent the most significant reforms since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The older suspect had legally acquired a cache of six weapons, which has contributed to calls for stricter regulations. Commissioner Barrett noted that the alleged killers "appeared to have no regard for the age or ableness of their victims" and "were interested only in a quest for a death tally."
The community response has included thousands visiting an impromptu memorial at Bondi Beach to lay flowers. Former Prime Minister John Howard, responsible for the 1996 gun law overhaul, also visited the site.
In the aftermath of the event, record numbers of Australians registered to donate blood. Lifeblood, the national donation organization, reported nearly 50,000 appointments booked on Monday, more than double the previous record, with almost 1,300 new donors. Long queues were reported at some Sydney donation sites.
Lifeguards from Bondi Beach were also commended for their actions, including performing an ocean rescue for fleeing individuals and providing first aid assistance at the scene.