Bondi Beach is one of Sydney’s most recognizable spaces. But on Sunday evening, it became the site of a mass shooting that left 15 people dead. Authorities confirmed the deaths and said the incident appeared to be an act of terrorism, though investigations are ongoing. A clearer picture of the suspected attackers is emerging. Much of the information comes from media reports, not official court documents.
According to BBC News, the two Bondi Beach gunmen have been confirmed to be father and son. Media outlets in Australia identified the pair as 50-year-old Sajid Akram 50 and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Authorities have urged caution as the investigation continues. The BBC also stressed that these names didn’t come from a formal police charging document.
Police have confirmed that the older suspect died at Bondi Beach after being shot by police, and the younger suspect remains in critical condition in the hospital. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC the younger man’s medical state would determine whether criminal charges could eventually be brought. The suspect angle has focused heavily on security attention.
BREAKING: Bondi Beach attackers were a 50-year-old and 24-year-old father and son.
The father, now deceased, had six firearms licensed to him.
New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed police are not looking for a third offender.https://t.co/zc1kMYxkES pic.twitter.com/I7dceUsy9y
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 14, 2025
CBS News said that U.S. intelligence officials identified the younger suspect as Naveed Akram, as we mentioned before. He had been investigated in 2019 by Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO. Albanese told ABC that the investigation lasted about six months and found no evidence of a threat at the time. Albanese also stated that the suspects were not part of an active terror cell, though investigators believe they were motivated by extremist ideology. “No evidence of collusion” has been found so far.
But how did they even have access to the weapons? BBC Verify reported that the older suspect legally owned six registered firearms and held a Category A/B recreational firearms licence in New South Wales. Police told reporters that this license had been held for about a decade and complied with existing state laws. The Bondi Beach suspect was also a member of a gun club.
Both the BBC and CBS also reported that improvised explosive devices were found in a vehicle linked to the suspects. However, authorities have not disclosed whether those devices were functional or even going to be used.
🔊 ‘Authorities say they had been investigating the son in 2019. He was looked at for potential links to a terrorist organization.’ @KirstyLNeedham on the father-son duo who killed 15 at Bondi Beach https://t.co/BH6BJ0MhCz pic.twitter.com/446ubDNSGG
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 15, 2025
The media also highlighted the risks of misidentification. The BBC cautioned that an unrelated Sydney resident sharing the younger suspect’s name had been misidentified, prompting warnings from police and diplomats.
As of now, no more suspects are being sought for the Bondi Beach shooting.
NEXT UP: Identity Revealed of Bystander Who Tackled Bondi Beach Gunman During Shooting and Was Shot Twice
