Background of Bondi Beach Shooting Suspect Emerges
Police sources have provided details regarding the background of Sajid Akram, identified as one of two individuals suspected of involvement in a mass shooting incident at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday. Akram, who died at the scene, was originally from Hyderabad, India.
Indian Origin and Family Contact
A police official from the Indian state of Telangana confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, hailed from Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana. His family in India reported having limited contact with him and stated they had no awareness of any radical mindset or activities he might have possessed.
Akram had traveled to India on six occasions since relocating to Australia in 1998. These visits were primarily for family-related reasons, including property matters and visiting his elderly parents. It was noted that he did not return to India for his father's funeral.
Lack of Prior Criminal Record and Migration
The Telangana police official further indicated that Sajid Akram had no criminal record within India. He had completed a degree and subsequently moved to Australia in pursuit of employment opportunities. Akram later married a woman described as being "of European origin."
While Sajid Akram maintained his Indian passport, his children were born in Australia and hold Australian citizenship. Law enforcement officials in Telangana have suggested that any factors contributing to the radicalization of Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, appear to be unconnected to India or any local influences within Telangana.
Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram are suspected of causing the deaths of 15 individuals and injuring dozens more during an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.