'People wish for...son like him': Sydney shooter's mother in denial
What's the story
The mother of the gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach shooting, which left 15 dead, has expressed disbelief over her son's involvement. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Verena said her son, Naveed (24), had gone on a fishing trip with his father Sajid (50) at Jervis Bay. "He rings me up and said, 'Mum, I just went for a swim....scuba diving. We're going...to eat now, and and we're going to stay home now because it's very hot," Verena said.
Mother
'He doesn't even go out'
Several videos have since surfaced on social media, allegedly showing the two suspected gunmen, both clad in black, shooting from a Bondi Beach bridge. Verena, however, does not believe her son could be engaged in the violence. "He doesn't have a firearm. He doesn't even go out. He doesn't mix with friends...doesn't drink...smoke... he goes to work, comes home, goes to exercise, and that's it," she said. "Anyone would wish to have a son like [him]...he's a good boy."
Family details
Naveed Akram's background and family life
Naveed was a bricklayer until he was laid off a few months ago. He lived with his parents and two siblings in western Sydney. His father Sajid owned a fruit shop and both had told relatives they were going on a fishing trip to Jervis Bay before the attack. The investigation into the Bondi Beach attack is still ongoing, with police stationed at the Akram family's home. The motive behind the attack remains unclear as authorities continue to probe.
Ongoing probe
Investigation underway into Bondi Beach shooting
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned it as an act of "pure evil" and antisemitism. He has called for immediate action, saying "the government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. He has also proposed new restrictions, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can have after officials revealed that the older of the two gunmen had legally obtained six firearms. The attack targeted a raised boardwalk where about 1,000 people had gathered for the Jewish festival.
Fatal confrontation
Sajid Akram killed in police shootout
Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene after he and Naveed opened fire for at least 10 minutes. Naveed was injured in the retaliatory action and is now in custody under police guard. The carnage at Australia's most popular beach was the deadliest shooting in nearly three decades in a country with tight gun control legislation.