One of the two gunmen involved in the deadly shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, which left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured, has been identified as Naveed Akram, according to Australian media reports.
One Gunman Identified as Naveed Akram
Akram, a resident of Sydney’s south-west, is believed to have carried out the attack at the crowded beach during a busy weekend, ABC Australia reported. Following the incident, Australian authorities conducted a police raid at his home in the suburb of Bonnyrigg on Sunday evening.
Terror Probe Underway
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said one of the shooters was known to authorities, but stressed that the individual had minimal prior interaction with police.
“The person that we know has very, very little knowledge to the police,” Lanyon said, adding that he was not someone who would have been actively monitored.
According to police, two gunmen armed with automatic rifles opened fire at Bondi Beach on Sunday. One of the attackers was fatally shot by police at the scene, while the second suspect was arrested and is currently in critical condition. Authorities have not yet confirmed which of the two attackers was Naveed Akram.
In a significant development, police also recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) from a vehicle linked to the deceased offender.
“We have found an improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender,” Commissioner Lanyon told a news conference, as reported by the Associated Press.
The shooting has since been officially designated a terrorist attack, The Guardian reported. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the specific target or motive behind the attack.
Police said several suspicious items found in and around the area are being examined by specialist teams. An exclusion zone has been established as investigations continue, and security has been heightened across the city amid public concern.
