Sydney, Australia — Australian authorities have identified a Pakistani father and son as the suspects behind the Bondi attack in Sydney. Officials confirmed on Monday that the perpetrators of Sunday’s terrorist assault at Bondi Beach were a 50-year-old man, who was killed after confronting police, and his 24-year-old son, who remains hospitalized under police custody.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference that two offenders were involved in the attack. One died at the scene following a confrontation with police, while the second is in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Overnight, police carried out searches in Bonnyrigg and Campsie, suburbs in southwest Sydney, where the suspects are believed to be from and where they were staying at the time of the attack. Authorities said they are not seeking any additional suspects.
Police confirmed that the deceased attacker had held a firearms license for around 10 years and legally owned at least six registered weapons. Six firearms were recovered from the attack scene and from the Campsie residence.
A senior security official told public broadcaster ABC that one of the alleged perpetrators was identified as Naveed Akram, a resident of Bonnyrigg.
The attack, which occurred at around 6:40 pm local time on Sunday, left 16 people dead and at least 40 others injured, including four minors, according to the latest police update. Fourteen people died at the scene, while two others — including a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man — later died in hospital.
Authorities said the victims, who have not yet been formally identified, range in age from 10 to 87. Five of the injured remain in critical condition.
Lanyon confirmed that the shooting took place at Archer Park, adjacent to Bondi Beach, during a celebration marking the start of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which was attended by nearly 1,000 people.
Police have officially classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Lanyon said special security powers have been activated as the investigation continues, adding that authorities believe there is no ongoing threat to the public.
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