Bondi shooting suspect gets charged with murder, terrorism
The attack, which targeted Australia’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration, left 15 people dead and dozens more injured, making it the country’s deadliest shooting since 1996.
Naveed Akram also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and one charge for displaying a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol in public.
Critically injured during the incident, Akram attended his first court hearing from his hospital bed, with proceedings adjourned until April 2026. Police are waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning him.
Twenty victims remain hospitalized across Sydney, with one in critical condition. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and authorities have labelled the incident a terrorist attack, noting it appears to have been “motivated by Islamic State” ideology.
It was revealed that Naveed and his father had traveled to the Philippines in November, staying there from 1 to 28 November. Naveed used an Australian passport, while his father used an Indian passport. Sajid Akram, originally from Hyderabad, India, had limited contact with family there.
Among the victims were two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl named Matilda.
Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were filmed wrestling with one of the gunmen, were also killed.
Twenty-seven others were hospitalized, including two police officers, one of whom has permanently lost vision in one eye.
Thousands attended the funeral of British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the first of the victims to be laid to rest. Schlanger had helped organise the Hanukkah event and was remembered for his devotion to his community. Rabbi Levi Wolff described him as having “towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls.”
Funerals for the remaining victims, including Matilda, are scheduled over the coming days. The Jewish community has criticised Prime Minister Albanese for insufficient action on antisemitism, though he defended his record, citing new appointments, stricter hate speech laws, and increased funding for social cohesion and Jewish institutions.
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