Australia gunman named as Naveed Akram after police discover 'improvised explosive device' in vehicle

He is said to be from Bonnyrigg in Sydney's south-west.

Akram's suburban home, that his family have owned for one year, is currently being raided by police.

He was shot and taken into custody, where he remains in a serious condition. The other gunman was shot dead at the scene, police confirmed.

A post claiming that Akram as one of the gunmen first surfaced just after 9pm local time, with a senior law enforcement official later confirming his identity to ABC.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said police are "aware" of one of the gunmen, but "that does not mean there was any specific threat posed by that person".

He confirmed authorities also had "information about the deceased shooter" who was killed as officers arrived on scene.

At a different press conference, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess, also confirmed one of the shooters had been known to intelligence agencies.

"Like NSW Police one of these individuals was known to us but not in an immediate threat perspective. So obviously we need to look into what happened here," he said.

Commissioner Lanyon confirmed they will "make sure no stone is left unturned" in regards to a potential third gunman, adding police are investigating "thoroughly" of any other people linked to the shooting.

"I have also authorised special powers … to ensure that if there is a third offender, and we are currently investigating that at the moment, we will make sure that we prevent any further activity," he said.

"There is a massive police response and I think as journalists you have seen how quickly and promptly the police responded."

Police formally identified the attack, which left at least 12 dead and a further 29 injured, as a terrorist incident.

NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed this due to the "types of weapons" found at the scene, in addition to an "improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender".

Commissioner Lanyon confirmed a rescue bomb disposal unit is working on the vehicle that the device was found in.

NSW police say they were called to the area at around 6.47pm local time after reports of multiple people being shot. They told people near the scene to "take shelter".

Eyewitnesses have reported up to 50 gunshots heard, describing the scene as "chaos" with "everyone just running crazy".

The firearms used by the gunmen appeared to be semiautomatic, with magazines scattered across the floor. The pair also looked to have been be wearing ammunition belts.

At least 30 ambulance crews and helicopter paramedics were said to be at the scene, as hundreds of people, who had been in attendance of Chanukah by the Sea, a festival celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hannukah, were fled in a panic.

It is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

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