Sydney, New South Wales, Australia — Australian authorities have identified the suspect in Saturday’s deadly shooting at Bondi Beach as Naveed Akram, a 32-year-old Afghan national residing in the country under a refugee protection visa, according to police.
Officials said the suspect, along with an accomplice, opened fire on a crowded beach area during a Jewish religious gathering, firing indiscriminately from an elevated position. The attack left at least 12 people dead, prompting a major security response across Sydney.
During the incident, a courageous Arab civilian intervened, overpowering one of the attackers, seizing his weapon and assisting authorities in his arrest. Security forces later secured the area and launched a large-scale investigation.
As of mid-2023, around 78,370 Afghan refugees were living in Australia, with an estimated 13,000 to 14,000 based in Sydney, where the suspect resided. Many Afghan nationals fled their homeland following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021, seeking refuge and protection abroad.
Authorities say the incident remains under active investigation, with officials examining possible motives and any broader security implications.