The two shooters responsible for the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia's Sydney have been identified as a father and son -- Naveed and Sajid Akram, said officials on Monday. The attack, which targeted the Jewish community, killed at least 16 people, but officials fear that the death count may rise as many others are still in critical condition.
Speaking at a press conference, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said the 50-year-old father was shot dead by the police, while his 24-year-old son was critically injured and is getting treated at a hospital. He clarified that the police are not looking for a third gunman's involvement in the incident. He also pointed out that the 50-year-old father was a licenced firearms holder.
"The offenders are a 50-year-old and 24-year-old male who are father and son. The 50-year-old is deceased. The 24-year-old is currently in hospital at the moment. As part of the investigation, we conducted two search warrants last night. One at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie," Lanyon said.
"The 50-year-old male is a licenced firearms holder. He has six firearms licenced to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday," Lanyon said, adding that the police will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly.
Flags to fly at half-mast across Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was also present at the press conference, said that flags will fly at half-mast across the country on Monday to pay respect to those who were killed in the grossly attack. He said that the attack 'deliberately targeted' the Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah.
Albanese affirmed that officials will take all necessary steps to "stamp out antisemitism" and will "eradicate" it completely. In the presser, the prime minister also thanked the first responders, but noted that December 14 will remain a "dark day" in Australia's history.
"Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred and we will come through this together. We refuse to let them divide us as a nation," he said.
Death count at 16, may rise further
At present, the death count stands at 16, including a 10-year-old, and 38 others are injured. However, officials fear that it may further rise as many others are said to be critical. Chilling footage have also surfaced on social media that showed the moment when the father-son duo opened fire at the beach.
The attack has left the Jewish community in Australia in shock, with many describing the incident 'unbelievable'.
