Police shared a major update on one of the alleged Bondi Beach gunmen. The horrifying shooting on Sunday claimed the lives of 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl. The attack, declared a terrorist incident by Australian police, was allegedly carried out by two gunmen, identified as father and son. 

One of the suspected attacker, Sajid Akram, was shot dead at the scene. His son, Naveed Akram, 24, was shot after he allegedly opened fire on the crowd, reportedly targeting an event celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah. 

Naveed Akram woke from a coma on Tuesday (December 16) and is expected to survive his injuries and face criminal charges, New South West (NSW) Police said.  

New South Wales Health said 24 people remained in hospital with three still in a critical condition.

NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon previously said the younger, alleged gunman will likely face criminal charges “based on his medical condition”, suggesting he will survive.

Police said they were confident there was not a third person involved in the attack.

At a press conference today (December 16), authorities gave an update on the parallel critical incident and counter-terror investigations into the attack.

“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said.

“These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation.”

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese called IS a “radical perversion of Islam”. He continued: “Isis was created by an evil ideology that has been called out not just by the Australian government but the global community.

“These antisemitic terrorist attacks will not be successful with their objective, which is to divide us as a nation. We will continue to come together as a nation and to embrace each other.”

Mr Albanese also said he had met with “Australian hero Ahmed al Ahmed and his family”.