Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney, has been formally charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act, according to New South Wales Police.

The attack, which targeted the Jewish community during a Hanukkah festival, left 15 people dead and dozens injured, making it Australia’s deadliest shooting since 1996. Akram’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in a gunfight with police at the scene.

Charges Against Naveed Akram

In addition to the murder and terrorism charges, Naveed Akram faces:

• 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder
• One charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol

Akram was critically injured during the attack and appeared for his first hearing from a hospital bed. The case has been adjourned until April 2026, pending further investigation. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that formal questioning will occur once Akram is medically stable. “For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” Lanyon said.

Victims of the Bondi Beach Attack

Among those killed were:

• Two rabbis, including British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who helped organize the Hanukkah event.
• A Holocaust survivor.
• Matilda, a 10-year-old girl.
• Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple who bravely confronted one of the gunmen.

Another 27 people were hospitalized, including two police officers. Officer Jack Hibbert, 22, lost vision in one eye and faces a challenging recovery. The second officer remains in critical but stable condition, along with several other injured victims.

Hanukkah Festival and Community Mourning

The attack took place during a Hanukkah festival, marking the first night of the holiday. Thousands of mourners gathered to honor Rabbi Eli Schlanger at the first funeral. Rabbi Levi Wolff described Schlanger’s death as an “unspeakable loss” and praised his lifelong dedication to spreading love, joy, and selfless service.

Funerals for other victims, including Matilda, the youngest victim, are scheduled over the coming days, reflecting the community’s collective grief and resilience.

Prime Minister and Government Response

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend Rabbi Schlanger’s funeral. He stated that he attends funerals when invited, emphasizing that these are private farewells for families.

The Jewish community has criticized the Prime Minister for not taking stronger action against antisemitism. Albanese defended his government’s measures, including:

• Appointing Australia’s first antisemitism envoy
• Strengthening hate speech laws
• Increasing funding for social cohesion projects and Jewish institutions

Investigation Into the Attack

Authorities have classified the incident as a terrorist attack, stating that it appears motivated by Islamic State (IS) ideology. Investigations revealed that Naveed and Sajid Akram traveled to the Philippines in November, with immigration records confirming their presence from November 1 to November 28. Naveed used an Australian passport, while Sajid traveled on an Indian passport.

Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad, India, though he had limited contact with family there. NSW Police continue to investigate whether the pair had any links to Islamist militants overseas.

Courage and Heroism Amid Tragedy

The actions of police officers, bystanders, and members of the public were widely praised for saving lives during the attack. The Gurmans’ courageous attempt to stop the gunmen and the selfless efforts of officers like Jack Hibbert highlight moments of heroism amid the tragedy.

The Bondi Beach shooting remains a devastating event for Sydney, the Jewish community, and Australia as a whole, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance, community support, and measures to combat extremist violence.