Bondi Beach gunman had been investigated by Australia's spy agency over ties to Islamic State

Watch moment brave man snatches gun off shooter during Bondi Beach shooting.mp4 |

GB NEWS

Bill Bowkett

By Bill Bowkett


Published: 15/12/2025

- 11:05

Updated: 15/12/2025

- 11:20

Naveed Akram had been probed by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation over his support for the terror group

A suspect in the massacre at a Hanukkah event in Sydney's Bondi Beach had been investigated by Australia's spy agency over ties to Islamic State.

Naveed Akram, 24, had been probed by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation for six months in 2019 over his support for the terrorist organisation.


ASIO and local police confirmed Naveed, a graduate at the Al Murad Institute in Heckenberg, was “known” to them but they did not consider him an “immediate” threat.

Counter-terrorism officials also believe Akram and his father Sajid, 50, had pledged allegiance to the group.

Sajid, a small business owner who arrived in Australia from Pakistan in 1998 on a student visa, was licensed to own six guns.

Two black and white Isis flags were reportedly found in their car, as well as “improvised explosive devices”, New South Wales Police said.

At least 15 people were killed in an antisemitic terror attack at a “Chanukah by the Sea” event, where Sajid was killed at the scene and Naveed was taken to hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand.

At least 27 others are still receiving medical treatment, as crowds of several hundred descended on the Bondi Pavilion to lay wreaths and bouquets of flowers.

Bondi beach shooting

Two gunmen opened fire at Bondi beach during Jewish celebrations

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Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, who bravely wrestled a gun from one of the alleged shooters, has undergone surgery and has recieved more than $1million in donations.

Australia’s Prime Minister said the father and son duo acted alone and not part of a wider proscribed group or cell.

But Anthony Albanese said the two men were motivated by “extremist ideology”, telling ABC News: “Further detail, of course, will be released when the police go through their work.”

Mr Albanese also rejected claims from Benjamin Netanyahu, his Israeli counterpart, of pouring “fuel on the anti-Semitism fire” by recognising Palestinian statehood amid the conflict in Gaza.

Bondi beach shootingThe incident took place on a bridge near Bondi Beach | GETTY

“And overwhelmingly, most of the world recognises a two-state solution as being the way forward in the Middle East,” Mr Albanese said.

Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, said a “comprehensive investigation” has been launched that would include the police response and “full independent inquiry”.

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