Australia Shooting: Suspect Charged With 15 Counts Of Murder, Terrorism

The surviving suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia has been charged with 59 criminal offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, New South Wales police have confirmed.

The suspect’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police at the scene of the attack.

The shooting, which occurred during an event marking the first night of Hanukkah, targeted Australia’s Jewish community and left 15 people dead, with dozens more injured. Authorities say it is the deadliest mass shooting in the country since 1996.

In addition to the murder and terrorism charges, the suspect faces 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, as well as one charge related to the public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.

Critically injured during the incident, he appeared for his first court hearing from his hospital bed, according to the New South Wales court. The case has been adjourned until April 2026.

Earlier on Wednesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were waiting for medication administered to the suspect to wear off before beginning formal questioning.

“For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” Lanyon said.

As of Wednesday evening local time, 17 people remained hospitalised across Sydney. One patient was in critical condition, while four others were described as critical but stable.

Police have officially designated the shooting a terrorist incident. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said initial assessments suggest the attack was “motivated by Islamic State” group ideology.

It has also emerged that the suspect and his father travelled to the Philippines in November. The Philippine immigration bureau told the BBC they were in the country from November 1 to November 28, with their final destination being the southern city of Davao.

Border authorities in Manila said the suspect entered the Philippines using an Australian passport, while his father travelled on an Indian passport. Indian police later confirmed that the father was originally from Hyderabad in southern India and had “limited contact” with his family there.

Among those killed in the attack were two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl, identified by her family as Matilda. Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple who were filmed grappling with one of the gunmen during the early moments of the attack, were also among the victims.

Another 27 people were taken to hospital, including two police officers. One of them, 22-year-old Jack Hibbert, lost vision in one eye and faces what his family described as a “long and challenging recovery”.

Floral tributes have since been laid near the site of the attack as the city continues to mourn.

Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for the funeral of British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the first funeral held for a victim of the shooting.
Prime Minister Albanese did not attend. Asked about his absence on ABC NewsRadio, he said: “I would attend anything that I’m invited to. These are funerals that are taking place to farewell people’s loved ones.”

Members of the Jewish community have criticised the prime minister for not doing enough to tackle antisemitism (history against Jewish people).

Albanese rejected the criticism, saying his government had taken concrete steps, including appointing Australia’s first antisemitism envoy, strengthening hate speech laws and increasing funding for social cohesion initiatives and Jewish institutions.

Speaking at the funeral, Rabbi Levi Wolff described Rabbi Schlanger’s death as an “unspeakable loss”.

“Eli was ripped away from us, doing what he loved best. Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls,” he said.

Rabbi Schlanger had helped organise the Hanukkah event that was targeted in the attack. Funerals for the remaining victims are expected in the coming days, including that of the youngest victim, Matilda, scheduled for Thursday.