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Who are Sajid and Naveed Akram? Father-son duo behind Bondi Beach shooting
24-year-old Naveed Akram was apprehended at the scene and taken to the hospital, while his father was killed in a shootout with cops
The two gunmen behind the Bondi Beach shooting have been identified as father and son. During a press conference on Monday morning (local time), New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon stated the two males — 50-year-old and 24-year-old — have been identified as the only shooters involved in the attack.
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, law enforcement sources identified the 24-year-old male as Naveed Akram and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram. Follow Sydney Bondi beach shooting live updates
Also Read | Bondi Beach shooting suspects father-son duo, had firearm license | 5 key updates
Officials had earlier told American broadcaster CBS News that Akram was a Pakistani national, but Australian officials later said he was Australian-born. Officials have not confirmed what country the father migrated to Australia from.
It was reported on Monday by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the shooters have possible links to the Islamic State group. However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC that, “The clear advice that we have at this point is there's no evidence of collusion, there's no evidence that these people were part of a cell.”
Who are Sajid and Naveed?
Speaking at the press conference on Monday, NSW police concluded that only two gunmen were involved in Sunday's attack which killed 15 people.
Commissioner Lanyon added that the search for a third attacker had been called off. Meanwhile, Law enforcement agencies told ABC news and Sydney Morning Herald that one of the gunmen has been identified as Naveen Akram.
24-year-old Naveed Akram was apprehended at the scene and taken to the hospital. While the NSW commissioner did not name Akram, he shared that the suspect remains under police guard in a critical but stable condition.
Meanwhile, ABC news reported that his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who owned a fruit shop, was killed during the shooting.
Also Read | Naveed Akram: 5 key things to know about Bondi Beach shooting suspect
Police commissioner Lanyon stated that the 50-year-old male was shot at by police officials at the time of the attack. Sajid, who is reportedly a fruit vendor, died at the scene of crime.
Meanwhile, authorities have stated that the pair had told family members they were going on a weekend fishing trip to Jervis Bay before carrying out the attack.
16 killed in Bondi Beach mass shooting
The attack, which is Australia's deadliest in 30 years, took place on Sunday as the two men opened fire at a public gathering.
Crowds of locals, tourists and others had gathered at the Sydney beach to participate in a Hannukah by the Sea festival.
The initial toll of the attack stood at 12, which included the killed gunman. However, officials shared on Monday that the toll had increased to 16, which included a 10-year-old child and an 87-year-old man.
