Featured Image Credit: ABC News
Topics: Australia, Crime, Terrorism, World News, Gun Crime
Liv Bridge
One of the two alleged shooters of the Bondi Beach terror attack has been charged with 15 counts of murder, as investigators claim the pair were possibly 'inspired by ISIS'.
On Sunday (December 14), New South Wales police responded to reports of two active gunmen allegedly gunning down families on Sydney's Bondi Beach.
At the time, hundreds of Jewish people had gathered on the beach as part of an event to celebrate Hanukkah.
Dozens were injured as the pair opened fire on families from a 'vantage point' on a bridge in what has transpired to be the deadliest shooting on Australian soil in more than 30 years.
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The attack, which has since been declared a terrorist incident and possibly motivated by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terror group ISIS, tragically claimed the lives of 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl.
As many as 20 others remain in hospital, where they are being treated for their injuries, with one person still reportedly in critical condition as of Wednesday (December 17).
Sajid Akram, 50, and his Australian-born son, Naveed, were soon identified by cops as the possible suspects.
Now, Australian authorities have charged 24-year-old Naveed, the surviving suspect, with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
He also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, one count of discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one count of placing an explosive in or near a building and a charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organization symbol.
The charges include:
The latter charge comes as officers discovered Islamic State extremist group flags, alongside improvised explosive devices, in a vehicle allegedly belonging to the father-son duo.
While Naveed was critically injured during the incident and raced to a Sydney hospital, his father was killed during the mass shooting amid a stand-off with police at the scene.
Police confirmed the 50-year-old, who entered the country on a student visa in 1998 before transferring to a partner visa and a resident visa, had been granted a firearms licence.
Now Naveed has reportedly woken from a coma and is seemingly recovering from his injuries, New South Wales officers said he had his first hearing from his hospital bedside, where he was informed of the charges.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed on Wednesday (December 17) that the authorities are currently waiting for the medication to wear off before they initiate formal questioning.
"For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening," Lanyon said.
A statement by police added: "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.
"Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia.
"Following extensive inquiries under Operation Arques … investigators attended a hospital where they charged a 24-year-old Bonnyrigg man with 59 offences.”