A suspected gunman in the terror attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach was charged with 59 offenses, including 15 charges of murder, on Wednesday.
Two gunman killed 15 people on Sunday in a mass shooting targeting Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah. One shooter, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, died on the scene. The second, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, was charged after waking from a coma in a Sydney hospital, according to AP. The charges include one count of murder for each fatality, one count of committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder.
The latter charges relate to injuries sustained by multiple other victims and improvised explosive devices police found in the Akrams’ car at the crime scene. Police said they believe the shooting was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.” Akram will next face court on April 8, 2026.
“Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” New South Wales police said in a statement. “Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Isis, a listed terrorist organization in Australia.”
The shooting transpired during an event marking the first night of Hanukkah attend by more than 1,000 people. The two gunman opened fire on the crowd, resulting in 15 people dead and 40 people injured. Among those killed in the mass shooting that targeted the Jewish community were British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman. The victims also include a 10-year-old child.
Sunday’s attack marked the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since 1996, when 35 people were killed in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Following that attack, Australia introduced some of the strictest gun control laws in the world. From 2023 to 2024, Australia recorded only 31 firearm deaths countrywide.
Police said Sajid Akram legally obtained the guns used in the attack. Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has since confirmed he is looking into how to tighten the existing gun control laws in the country. “The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary,” Albanese said. “Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws.”
These actions may include restricting gun ownership to Australian citizens. This would have prevented Sajid Akram, who came to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and became a permanent resident after marrying a local woman, from purchasing guns. The younger Akram is an Australian-born citizen.
The families of victims began holding funerals this week, which have drawn a heavy police presence. A vigil was held on Tuesday night to remember the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda. Twenty people remain in the hospital with injuries.
The attack has raised questions about the state of antisemitism in Australia. Albanese released a video message following the shooting saying, “As prime minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community, ‘We stand with you.’” He called the attack an “act of evil antisemitism.”
“A few months ago, I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Australia. I said that their policy was pouring oil on the flames of antisemitism and encouraging the hatred of Jews that is raging in the streets of Australia,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.
“Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders remain silent, and they must replace weakness with strength in facing it. That did not happen in Australia – and today, something terrible occurred there. A cold-blooded murder.”
