Bondi Beach gunmen threw bombs on day of attack, had rehearsed shooting for months

Fresh court documents have laid out a chilling picture of preparation behind Australia’s deadliest terror attack, with police alleging the Bondi Beach gunmen trained with firearms in a rural area, recorded videos planning the assault and carried out reconnaissance days before opening fire on a Jewish gathering.

A police fact sheet released by a Sydney court on Monday claims the father and son duo behind the December 14 attack meticulously planned the violence for months, drawing inspiration from Islamic State ideology, as reported by CNN. The shooting at Bondi Beach killed 15 people attending a Jewish event celebrating Hannukah, authorities said.

FIREARMS TRAINING AND PLANNING VIDEOS

According to the document, Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, filmed themselves in October while firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner at an undisclosed countryside location, believed to be in New South Wales. Images taken from the video show the pair handling weapons in a way police say suggests firearms training.

Another video allegedly shows the two seated in front of an Islamic State flag, condemning Zionists and reciting passages from the Quran. Police claim the recording captured the pair outlining their ideological motivations and justification for the planned attack.

The court filing says investigators believe these videos form part of a broader pattern of preparation and intent.

FAILED EXPLOSIVES AND ISI FLAGS

Police allege the attackers arrived at Bondi Beach with Islamic State flags placed on the front and rear windscreens of their vehicle. Moments before the shooting began, they allegedly threw four improvised explosive devices into the crowd. None of the devices detonated, though the document says three pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb were viable.

Images of the devices were included in the court material, along with details of a fifth suspected bomb found in the boot of the vehicle used to reach the beach.

RECONNAISSANCE DAYS BEFORE ATTACK

The alleged facts also describe what police believe was a “dry run” two days before the killings. Closed-circuit television footage shows the men visiting the Bondi Beach area on December 12, walking along a footbridge near Archer Park from where the victims were later shot.

Police say this visit forms part of reconnaissance and final planning ahead of the attack.

CHARGES AND POLICE RESPONSE

Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene as officers moved to stop the attack. Naveed Akram was shot in the abdomen and taken into custody. He now faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one terrorism offence.

From his hospital bed, Naveed Akram declined to take part in a formal police interview on legal advice, the document says. He is due to appear in court again in April.

SEARCHES AND RECOVERED ITEMS

In the hours after the shooting, police searched a property in western Sydney, where they allegedly found mobile phones, a homemade firearm, a longbow with 12 arrows and religious material. A day later, officers forced entry into a rented room in south-western Sydney where the men were believed to have been staying.

Inside, police allege they recovered 3D-printed components for a shotgun speed loader, bomb-making equipment, another longbow with arrows and copies of the Quran, one of which had a page marked.

The elder man’s wife told police she believed her husband and son were on holiday in southern New South Wales. According to the court document, the son contacted her daily from a payphone to describe their supposed plans.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as they continue to examine digital material, travel movements and the full extent of the alleged planning behind the attack.

- Ends

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