Bondi Beach Mass Shooting Suspect Faces New Charges as Inquiry Probes Anti-Semitic Attack

A man accused of carrying out a deadly anti-Semitic mass shooting at Bondi Beach is now facing a series of additional charges, according to court records released on Wednesday.

Naveed Akram, 24, is alleged to have opened fire during a Hanukkah gathering in December, killing 15 people in what has been described as one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in decades. He had already been charged with multiple serious offenses, including murder and committing an act of terrorism.

The latest court filings show that Akram now faces 19 additional charges, including counts of shooting with intent to murder, wounding with intent to murder, and discharging a firearm to resist arrest. He remains in custody at a high-security prison and has not yet entered a plea.

Authorities say his father, Sajid Akram, who was also allegedly involved in the attack, was shot dead by police during the incident.

The charges come as a public inquiry examines the circumstances surrounding the attack and broader concerns about rising anti-Semitism in Australia. Inquiry head Virginia Bell noted that a surge in anti-Semitic incidents has been observed not only in Australia but across other Western countries, often linked to tensions in the Middle East.

The attack has triggered national debate over security, hate crimes, and the protection of minority communities. In response, authorities announced new gun control measures, including a proposed nationwide buyback scheme, though implementation has faced challenges due to lack of consensus among states and territories.

Investigators revealed that Akram had previously been flagged by intelligence agencies in 2019 but was later deemed not to pose an immediate threat. Police reports suggest that the attack was “meticulously planned,” with the suspects allegedly conducting firearms training and recording extremist material prior to the incident.

The ongoing inquiry aims to uncover lapses in intelligence and security while addressing the broader implications of extremism and public safety in the country.