Alleged Bondi gunman charged with 15 murders as funerals of victims begin

Sydney is reeling from a mass shooting that occurred on Bondi Beach during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration. As funerals for the 15 victims began Wednesday, authorities announced charges against Naveed Akram, 24, who they allege was one of the two perpetrators.

Akram faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and a terror offense. Police stated they will argue in court that Akram's actions were intended to advance a religious cause, incite fear, and resulted in deaths and serious injuries. According to law enforcement, early evidence suggests the attack was a terrorist act inspired by ISIS.

Naveed Akram, who had been in a coma after being shot by police, was charged after regaining consciousness on Tuesday afternoon. He remains hospitalized in Sydney under police guard and is scheduled to appear in court via video link on Monday morning. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police at the scene of the shooting.

Weeks prior to the attack, the father and son had traveled to the southern Philippines, a region known for Islamist militancy. Investigators believe the shooting was inspired by the Islamic State.

Meanwhile, the state government of New South Wales is moving to reform gun laws in response to the tragedy. Premier Chris Minns announced that parliament will reconvene on December 22 to consider urgent reforms, including limits on the number of firearms an individual can own and stricter regulations on certain types of shotguns. The government also plans to review regulations concerning large street protests following terror events, aiming to prevent further community tensions. Minns emphasized the need for community unity and calm.

Among those being mourned is Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi Synagogue and a father of five, who was known for his outreach work within Sydney's Jewish community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing criticism regarding his government's efforts to combat antisemitism. Albanese pledged to work with the Jewish community to eradicate antisemitism from Australian society.

Questions are also being raised about how Sajid Akram was able to legally acquire the weapons used in the attack. Naveed Akram had been briefly investigated in 2019 for alleged links to ISIS, but authorities determined at the time that he did not pose a threat.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, who was hailed as a hero for confronting one of the shooters, is scheduled to undergo surgery for gunshot wounds sustained during the attack. A family statement also indicated that Jack Hibbert, a 22-year-old police officer shot twice during the incident, has lost vision in one eye and faces a long recovery.

Other victims included a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl named Matilda. At a vigil, Matilda's father asked that her name be remembered. In Bondi, residents gathered for a minute of silence, and organizers canceled a planned New Year's Eve party on the beach.