How a element within the alleged Bondi Beach shooter’s pockets reveals his curiosity in firearms
One of the alleged Bondi Beach shooters had a membership card in his wallet for a firearms association.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, allegedly opened fire at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday night, claiming the lives of at least 15 people and leaving 40 others injured.
The older gunman was also shot dead by police while his son suffered critical injuries and remains in hospital under police guard following the horrific shooting.
In the wake of the massacre, a photo of a wallet containing Naveed’s driver license began circulating online.
But the image also revealed a detail about Naveed’s interest in firearms.
Nestled below his ID, Naveed kept a membership card for Zastava Hunting Association – a gun club in Bonnyrigg Heights, which is just a four minute drive from the 24-year-old bricklayer’s home.
According to its website, ZHA was founded in 2013 and has a ‘focus on education and conservation of animal game species within Australia’.
‘ZHA has been active in supporting and educating its members and the broader community in ethical and sustainable hunting practices,’ the page reads.
Accused shooter Naveed Akram, 24, kept a hunting association card in his wallet
Naveed Akram, 24, (pictured) suffered critical injuries and remains in hospital under police guard following the horrific shooting on Sunday night. His father was shot dead
‘At Zastava Hunting Association we believe in preserving natural habitats by educating our hunters on ethical and sustainable hunting practices.
‘Zastava Hunting also believes in keeping alive the spirit of hunting, practiced by our ancestors which has been passed on in tradition and spirit.
‘Our vision is to promote acceptance within the community of hunting as a noble sport and make hunting accessible to everyone.’
It is unclear how long Naveed had been a member of the association.
Another photo circulating online in the aftermath of the shooting revealed Naveed was a student Al-Murad Institute, which teaches Arabic and Koran studies in Heckenberg in Sydney’s west.
The image, taken in February 2022, shows Naveed posing with his teacher, Sheikh Adam Ismail, after completing his IQra books, a set of instructional manuals that teach how to read the Quran in Arabic.
Mr Ismail has since spoken out to say he is devastated by the attack and hasn’t had contact with Naveed or his family in years.
‘I last had contact with him in early 2022, but we just strictly teach people to read Koran here, nothing else,’ Mr Ismail told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Adam Ismail (left) is pictured with Naveed Akram at the time he completed his course in February 2022
‘I am devastated by the images of the victims in Bondi.
‘I have a young family and we’ve been harassed with death threats. We’ve had to evacuate our home, and have needed police assistance, for which we’re very thankful.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Zastava Hunting Association and the Al-Murad Institute for comment. It is not alleged that either the Zastava Hunting Association or Ismail or his institute were in any way involved in the shooting.
The eerie gun detail comes after NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed Sajid, who is yet to be formally identified, held a gun licence and all firearms registered to him were legally owned.
Police have since seized all six firearms linked to him which are understood to have been at the scene of the terrifying shooting.
‘He has six firearms licensed to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday, but also as a result of the search warrant at the Campsie address,’ Mr Lanyon said.
The father and son duo allegedly opened fire on innocent people at a Jewish Hannukkah celebration
‘Ballistics and forensic investigation will determine those six firearms are the six that were licensed to that man, but also they were used in the offence yesterday at Bondi.
‘We will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly.’
ASIO has also admitted that one of the shooters was on their radar.
‘One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate threat perspective,’ ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said on Sunday night.
‘So obviously we need to look into what happened.’
The spy agency has since committed to reviewing the issue and searching for others who might be plotting similar attacks, though Mr Burgess stressed there was no indication anyone else in the community had a similar intent.
The shooting has officially been declared a terrorist incident, which will allow ASIO, the Australian Federal Police and its state counterpart to deploy special powers as it investigates the shooting.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also hinted additional funding for security for the Jewish community – a recommendation of the Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal – would be considered.
Sixteen people have died while countless others have been injured
One woman is seen leaving the scene with her child in an emergency blanket
The FBI is assisting Australian agencies.
The two alleged shooters had spent the weekend in a short-stay rental home in Brighton Avenue, Campsie, with police raiding that address and their family home in Bonnyrigg.
Among the dead is a 10-year-old girl, along with a local rabbi, an Israeli man and a French citizen.
Those who died are yet to be formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87.
Forty people remain in hospital in various conditions.
Five people remain in a critical condition while the others are in a serious and stable condition.
Two injured police officers remain in a serious but stable condition.
