Australian police have charged one of the alleged Bondi Beach gunmen with multiple counts of murder and terrorism, as the first funerals were held for victims of the deadly attack that claimed 15 lives.
Naveed Akram, 24, was formally charged on Wednesday with 15 counts of murder, committing a terrorist act and planting a bomb with intent to cause harm, after regaining consciousness from a coma. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in a shootout with police at the scene on Sunday evening.
The pair are accused of opening fire on crowds attending a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, in what authorities believe was a terror attack inspired by the Islamic State group.
“Police will allege in court that the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and instil fear within the community,” New South Wales police said in a statement.
“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia.”
Naveed Akram remains in hospital under police guard after being wounded during the incident.
Authorities say the attack was intended to sow fear within Australia’s Jewish community. Investigators are also examining whether the father and son had contact with Islamist extremists during a visit to the Philippines weeks before the shooting. Philippine officials said on Wednesday there was no evidence the country was used for terrorist training.
Meanwhile, scenes of profound grief unfolded as mourners gathered to bury the first victims of the massacre. Rabbi Eli Schlanger was laid to rest on Wednesday, drawing large crowds to the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The 41-year-old father of five was widely known as the “rabbi of Bondi” and served as a chaplain in hospitals and prisons.
“This loss is massive for the entire Jewish nation, but for our community here, the loss is unspeakable,” Rabbi Levi Wolff told mourners.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the pain felt across the country, saying the day would be particularly difficult as the funerals began.
Another victim, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a father of four known for his charitable work, was also laid to rest later in the day. Among those killed were a 10-year-old girl, two Holocaust survivors, and a married couple who died while attempting to stop the attackers.
Recently released dashcam footage shows Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61, confronting one of the gunmen in the early moments of the attack. Boris briefly managed to disarm the suspect before the couple were fatally shot.
“While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness,” the Gurman family said in a statement.
The attack has raised renewed questions about intelligence failures and gun ownership laws, after it emerged that Sajid Akram legally owned six firearms. Australian leaders have since agreed to tighten regulations, amid growing concerns over rising private gun ownership.
The incident has also reignited debate over antisemitism, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging Western governments to act decisively to protect Jewish communities worldwide.