Bondi Beach Shooter Charged With 59 Offenses, Including Terrorism and Murder

ByKristin Malone
Bondi Beach Shooter Charged

SYDNEY — Australian authorities have charged Naveed Akram, 24, with 59 offenses following the Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people and injured 41 others during a Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 14. Police said Akram carried out the attack alongside his father, Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot dead by officers at the scene. Naveed Akram survived with critical injuries and remains under police guard in a Sydney hospital.

Bondi Beach Shooting: Charges Against Akram

The New South Wales (NSW) Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) confirmed on Wednesday that Akram faces charges including:

  • 15 counts of murder
  • 40 counts of causing wounding with grievous bodily harm to a person with the intent to murder
  • One count of committing a terrorist act
  • Weapons and explosives charges, including discharging a firearm with intent to cause harm and placing an explosive device
  • Displaying a terrorist organization symbol, linked to ISIS propaganda

According to the NSW Police Department, officers responded to Bondi Beach around 6:40 p.m. on Dec. 14 after reports of gunfire. Two men armed with long guns were firing into crowds. Police exchanged fire, and two officers were wounded—one critically. Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, while his son was taken to the hospital under guard.

Police said 15 people died in the attack, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87. Forty‑one others, including four children, were hospitalized, and 20 remain under care across Sydney hospitals. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the incident terror‑related, and the investigation was referred to the JCTT under Operation Arques. Police allege Akram engaged in conduct that caused death and serious injury to advance a religious cause and instill fear in the community.

Trial Proceedings Loom for Bondi Beach Shooting

Akram is expected to face court via audiovisual link once medically cleared. Prosecutors plan to pursue the terrorism charge as central to the case, alongside the murder counts. He faces life imprisonment without parole if convicted.

The national debate in Australia is renewed over antisemitism, counterterrorism measures and firearm regulation after the Bondi Beach massacre. Although the country enforces some of the world’s strictest gun laws, the attackers were able to secure weapons and stage the deadliest mass shooting since the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996. In response, government officials have announced plans to bolster security for Jewish communities and intensify efforts to track extremist propaganda.

Observers say Akram’s case will rank among the most closely followed terrorism trials in Australia, with the potential to redefine how the nation approaches extremist threats. The proceedings highlight the ongoing struggle to prevent violence rooted in ideology. As the legal process unfolds, Sydney continues to grieve, gathering at security‑protected vigils and funerals while survivors work toward recovery.

Kristin Malone is a freelance journalist specializing in Science & Environment, Health, and True Crime reporting. She is dedicated to delivering accurate, well-researched coverage that translates complex issues into clear, accessible reporting. Her work explores environmental challenges, public health developments, and investigative pieces that bring depth and precision to crime and justice. Kristin’s approach is grounded in thorough fact-checking and a commitment to integrity, ensuring readers receive trusted information on topics that matter most.