The younger member of the father-son duo responsible for the deadly terror attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach has woken from a coma, allowing police to begin their interrogation. This critical development comes as authorities uncover more disturbing details about the pair's connections to terrorist ideology and a recent trip to a known militant stronghold.
Suspect Conscious, Questioning to Begin
The 24-year-old surviving attacker, Naveed Akram, regained consciousness and is expected to be formally questioned by New South Wales police within hours. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the update on Wednesday morning, December 17, 2025. The suspect and his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14 before being subdued by bystanders.
Deepening Terror Network Connections
As the investigation progresses, a clearer and more alarming picture of the attackers' background is emerging. Police confirmed that homemade Islamic State flags were discovered in a vehicle registered to one of the gunmen. Furthermore, officials in Manila revealed that the two had travelled to an area of the Philippines last month where groups aligned with Islamic State (ISIS) are known to operate.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed these findings, stating the reasons for the Philippines visit remain under investigation. He unequivocally labeled the assault, "an ISIS-inspired extremist ideology leading to a terrorist attack" with tragic consequences for the Jewish community.
Australian intelligence had previously flagged Naveed Akram. He was investigated by the domestic spy agency in 2019 due to his connections with members of a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell. Reports also indicate he was a follower of radical Sydney cleric Wisam Haddad.
Victims Mourned, Hero Honored
The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the massacre. The first victim's funeral was held Wednesday for Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who led the Chabad mission in Bondi. A sprawling memorial has grown on the grass in front of Bondi Beach, though the crime scene was expected to reopen to the public later that day.
In a remarkable story of bravery, donations for Ahmed Al Ahmed, the 43-year-old father who tackled and disarmed one of the shooters, have soared past AU$2.4 million on a GoFundMe page. As of Tuesday night, 22 people injured in the attack remained hospitalized across New South Wales.
Additional details about the attackers' histories have been confirmed. Indian police stated that Sajid Akram was an Indian national from Hyderabad who had minimal contact with his family after migrating to Australia 27 years ago. In a correction to earlier information, police said he obtained his gun license in 2023, not 2015—a date that falls after his son had already been investigated by authorities.
