Bondi Beach Gunmen Also Threw Pipe Bombs Into Crowd, Officials Say

Photo Credit: Mark Baker for AP

The two gunmen who killed fifteen people at a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach also threw homemade bombs into the crowd, police say.

The father and son suspected of committing the horrific attack, identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram, threw four homemade explosive devices in the celebration, all of which failed to detonate. Police describe the devices as three pipe bombs and one tennis ball bomb.

The information about the bombs was released by Australian officials after a court order brought on by pressure from local media. It was collected by authorities as part of the charging documents for Naveed Akram– who was arrested and charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one of terror. His father was killed by police at the scene of the attack.

An additional explosive device was found in a car registered to Naveed near the scene of the attack.

The two men “meticulously planned this terrorist attack for many months,” police said. The planning was documented in a number of videos on Naveed’s phone, which included a video in which the men “ma[de] a number of statements regarding their motivation for the ‘Bondi attack’ and condemning the acts of ‘Zionists.”

Authorities also stated that gunmen scoped out the location for their attack two days before it was carried out. On CCTV footage, the men can be seen “to exit the vehicle and walk along the footbridge, being the same position where they attended two days later and shot at members of the public,” the document states.

Further information within the charging documents includes a video of the gunmen conducting firearm training. Document also describe evidence seized at both the Akram’s home and another rented room the men stayed in. In both locations multiple weapons were found, including another suspected bomb and bomb making equipment.

Police have stated that they suspect the men were inspired by ISIS, citing the multiple Islamic State flags in Naveed’s car and in the background of one of the evidentiary videos, along with other pieces of evidence.

Austrialian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Monday that he feels “the weight of responsibility” for the attack, apologizing to the Jewish community and the country writ large for what they experienced.

Among those killed in the attack were a ten year old child and an eighty seven year old Holocaust survivor who was shot dead while trying to protect his wife.