Sajid Akram, a 50-year-old fruit shop owner from Bonnyrigg in Sydney, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, were the shooters who carried out a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.
In a shocking act of violence that has shaken Australia, a father and son from Sydney’s south-west suburb of Bonnyrigg have been identified as the perpetrators of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach. The attack, which occurred on December 14, 2025, during a lively Chanukah celebration attended by thousands, resulted in 16 deaths and at least 42 injuries, marking one of the nation’s most horrific incidents since the Port Arthur massacre. The shooters, armed with multiple firearms, targeted the Jewish community in what authorities have described as a deliberate act of antisemitism, prompting a nationwide outpouring of grief and calls for stricter gun laws.
Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, carried out the rampage, with Sajid dying at the scene and Naveed being apprehended and hospitalized in critical but stable condition under police guard. The incident unfolded amid a festive atmosphere at the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, where families gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday. Witnesses described chaos as gunfire erupted, sending crowds fleeing in panic, with improvised explosive devices later discovered in a vehicle linked to the attackers, heightening fears of a broader terrorist plot.
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The Family and Background
Sajid Akram, the father, was a fruit shop owner who had held a firearms license in New South Wales for over a decade, legally possessing six guns that were used in the assault. He lived with his family in a modest three-bedroom home in Bonnyrigg, a diverse suburb known for its multicultural community.
Described by neighbors as a quiet businessman, Sajid Akram had no prior public indications of extremist views, though investigations are now probing any hidden radical influences. His death at the scene came after he and his son opened fire into the crowd, with police confirming the weapons were registered under his name. The family, originally from a mixed background with ties to Islamic studies, had recently moved to Bonnyrigg from nearby Cabramatta, seeking a stable life.
BREAKING: Bondi Beach attackers were a 50-year-old and 24-year-old father and son.
The father, now deceased, had six firearms licensed to him.
New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed police are not looking for a third offender.https://t.co/zc1kMYxkES pic.twitter.com/I7dceUsy9y
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 14, 2025
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Naveed Akram, the son, was an unemployed bricklayer who had lost his job two months earlier when his employer went insolvent. At 24, he was portrayed by his mother, Verena, as a reserved young man who enjoyed fishing, swimming, and exercising, avoiding social outings, alcohol, or smoking. He attended Cabramatta High School and had completed Koran studies at a local institute in 2022, but family members insisted he showed no signs of violence or radicalization.
On the morning of the attack, Naveed told his mother that he and his father were heading to Jervis Bay for a fishing trip, a seemingly innocuous excuse that masked their deadly intentions. Verena, a stay-at-home parent, expressed disbelief, emphasizing her son’s good nature and limited online presence.
The Attack and Aftermath
The shooting began around midday when the duo arrived at Bondi Beach, blending into the holiday crowd before unleashing gunfire. Victims included a 10-year-old girl, a British rabbi, and several children, underlining the indiscriminate horror. A heroic bystander attempted to disarm one of the gunmen, suffering two gunshot wounds in the process. Police responded swiftly, neutralizing Sajid Akram and capturing Naveed while discovering explosives in their car on nearby Campbell Parade. The attack has been classified as terrorism, with Operation Arques—a joint counterterrorism probe—launched to investigate motives and potential accomplices.
🚨🇦🇺 Breaking: Two Bondi Beach Gunmen Believed to be Father and Son
This information comes from police sources to ABC.
Naveed Akram, 24, remains in hospital under police guard, while his 50-year-old father was shot dead in the exchange of gunfire with police on Sunday. https://t.co/cZzKRJ0esf pic.twitter.com/B16DCdArqB
— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) December 14, 2025
In the wake of the tragedy, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has signaled impending reforms to gun laws, despite Australia’s already stringent regulations. Enhanced security measures, including police presence at Jewish sites, have been implemented under Operation Shelter. The incident has reignited debates on firearm ownership and radicalization, with community leaders calling for unity against hate. As investigations continue, the Akram family’s quiet life in Bonnyrigg stands in stark contrast to the devastation they allegedly wrought, leaving a nation to grapple with the roots of such violence.
