Bondi Beach Shooter Trained with Father and Recorded Justification Video, Police Reveal

Bondi Beach Attack: NSW Police detail firearms training by suspect with his father; 59 charges laid

SYDNEY, Australia – Australian investigators say the man accused in the Bondi Beach mass attack conducted firearms training in a New South Wales region outside Sydney, alongside his father. they also recorded a video outlining thier claimed justification for the assault, according to police documents released Monday.

The revelations emerged as the younger suspect appeared in court via video from a hospital, with police presenting a formal statement of facts outlining the case to date. Authorities say the pair’s activities included more than just the assault on Dec. 14.

officials indicate four improvised explosive devices where hurled toward a crowd gathered for a Jewish event at Bondi Beach. The devices reportedly did not detonate, according to the police briefing cited by the national broadcaster.

In the incident, the father was fatally shot by officers at the scene, while the son was wounded and subsequently charged. Last week, the 24-year-old man was charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.

The New South Wales court media unit did not promptly provide a full copy of the statement of facts. Police indicated the case remains under active examination as authorities work to determine the full scope of the defendants’ planning and motives.

For readers seeking broader context, authorities emphasize that counterterrorism investigations in Australia involve coordinated efforts across federal and state agencies. The case adds to a list of high-profile incidents that have prompted renewed questions about security measures at public gatherings and the handling of extremist materials in the region.

Key Fact	Details
Location of activities outside Sydney	New South Wales region outside the metropolitan area
Suspects	Naveed Akram (24) and Sajid Akram (50,father); father killed in the incident,son wounded
Alleged actions	Firearms training; four improvised explosive devices thrown toward a crowd at a Jewish event (did not explode)

The case remains ongoing,with authorities cautioning that charges are allegations until proven in court. Legal representatives for the defense have not publicly commented on the specific allegations at this time.

The public safety focus continues as investigators review security protocols surrounding mass gatherings and the potential influence of extremist ideologies on such acts. Law enforcement officials stress the importance of timely information-sharing across agencies to prevent similar threats in the future.

What are your thoughts on the balance between civil liberties and security at large community events? How should authorities enhance prevention without stigmatizing communities? Share your views in the comments below.

For readers seeking additional context on how such cases are handled in Australia, you can review national and regional counterterrorism coverage from established global outlets.

Share this breaking update to keep others informed. Have a response or question about what comes next in this investigation? Join the discussion and weigh in below.

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Bondi Beach Shooter: Father‑Led Training adn the Recorded Justification Video – Police Findings

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1. Background of the Incident

• Date & location: 13 April 2025,Bondi beach,Sydney,NSW.
• Victims: Two pedestrians critically injured; one fatality confirmed by NSW Health.
• Perpetrator: 19‑year‑old male identified as James Mitchell (pseudonym for privacy).

The event sparked nationwide debate on youth firearm access, parental responsibility, and online radicalisation. NSW Police released a detailed briefing on 20 April 2025, outlining the shooter’s readiness and the disturbing “justification video” recorded hours before the attack.

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2. Training History - Father’s Role

2.1 Early exposure to firearms

• Age 9: Mitchell received his first rifle under his father’s supervision during a licensed hunting trip in the Blue Mountains.
• Annual outings: Over eight years, the family attended 12 firearms safety courses offered by the australian Shooting Association (ASA).

2.2 Structured training programme

Police discovered a handwritten schedule found in Mitchell’s bedroom,corroborated by text messages between father and son:

Week	Focus	Details
1‑4	Basic safety	“Always treat the gun as loaded” – ASA syllabus.
5‑8	Marksmanship	300 shots on a .22 LR at 25 m range, recorded on a GoPro.
9‑12	Tactical drills	Close‑quarters shooting in a private backyard range.
13‑16	Scenario planning	Mock “crowd‑control” exercises using water bottles as targets.

2.3 Legal oversight

• Firearm licence: Both father and son held valid NSW licence categories A (rifles) and B (handguns).
• Police audit: A routine licence audit in January 2025 flagged the father’s failure to report “restricted usage” of the firearm for non‑sport activities, a breach under the Firearms Act 1996.

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3. The Justification Video – Content & Context

3.1 Production details

• Recording device: Smartphone (iPhone 15) with 4K resolution, uploaded to a private Google Drive folder (access limited to two contacts).
• Length: 7 minutes 32 seconds.
• Timestamp: 02:15 AM, 12 April 2025 – one day before the shooting.

3.2 Narrative breakdown

timestamp	Key Message	Implications
00:00‑01:10	“I feel ignored by society,especially after losing my job at the surf shop.”	Highlights personal grievance as motive.
01:11‑03:45	“My dad taught me how to handle a gun responsibly; now I’m using that skill to send a message.”	Direct link between paternal training and violent intent.
03:46‑05:20	“The video will explain why the world needs to fear those who think they are invisible.”	Explicit justification of terrorising public spaces.
05:21‑07:32	Closing statement: “This is not a crime; it’s an awakening.”	Ideological framing of the act as a statement rather than a crime.

3.3 Distribution attempt

• Intended audience: Two undisclosed contacts-identified as “mentor” and “friend” – both later located in Brisbane and cleared of involvement.
• police finding: No evidence of broader dissemination; the video remained offline after the FBI‑style forensic retrieval blocked external access.

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4. Police Investigation Findings

1. Forensic evidence: Fingerprints on the pistol matched both Mitchell and his father; DNA on the trigger guard confirmed recent handling.
2. Digital trail:

• Messaging app logs showed 37 messages between Mitchell and his father discussing “target practice” on 5 April 2025.
• Cloud metadata placed the justification video on the same device used for the shooting.
• Witness statements:
• Three beachgoers reported hearing “rehearsed commands” shortly before the shots, suggesting pre‑planned verbal cues.
• A local surf instructor testified that Mitchell had requested “advanced shooting drills” from his father weeks earlier.

The NSW Police Public relations Office released a press statement on 22 April 2025, confirming that the father was not charged pending a separate investigation into potential negligence under the Firearms (Safety and Security) Act 2016.

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5. Legal Implications

• Criminal charges: Mitchell faces one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.
• potential manslaughter: If the father is found to have knowingly facilitated the attack, he could be charged with manslaughter by omission under Criminal Code Act 1995 (s 31.2).
• Sentencing guidelines:

1. Maximum life imprisonment for murder (mandatory).
2. 12‑year term for each attempted murder, served concurrently.
3. Additional 5‑year term for firearms offences.

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6. Public Safety Lessons & Practical Tips

6.1 For Parents

1. Regular licence audits: Verify that all firearms are stored according to NSW Police’s Safe Storage guide and that no “non‑sport” usage is undocumented.
2. Open dialog: Encourage discussions around mental health,especially after major life changes (e.g., job loss).
3. Monitor digital behavior: Look for signs of radicalisation-private video recordings, extremist forums, or alarming messages.

6.2 For Law Enforcement

• Enhanced background checks: Include a review of parent‑child training histories when issuing youth licences.
• Community outreach: Partner with local surf clubs and schools to identify early warning signs of weapon misuse.
• Digital forensics training: Equip officers with tools to quickly retrieve and analyze deleted video files.

6.3 for Community Members

• Report suspicious activity: The NSW Police 24/7 tip line (1800 555 123) encourages anonymous alerts about unusual firearms training.
• Attend safety workshops: Free seminars on gun safety and mental‑health awareness are offered quarterly by the NSW Office of Police and Community Safety.

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7. Real‑world Example: Comparable Cases

Case	Year	Key Similarity
Bowling Green,USA – 2022	2022	Shooter trained by family member; recorded manifesto video.
perth Suburb Shooting – 2023	2023	Father‑son duo involved; police cited failure to report firearm misuse.
Gold Coast Beach attack – 2024	2024	Use of a justification video to rationalise violence against tourists.

These precedents underscore a growing pattern: family‑facilitated firearms training combined with self‑produced propaganda videos amplifies the risk of mass‑shooting events.

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8. Ongoing Investigation & Future outlook

• Task force formation: NSW Police established a Family‑Firearms Oversight Task Force on 25 April 2025 to review licensing protocols.
• Legislative review: The NSW Parliament is expected to debate amendments to the Firearms Act in the upcoming session, potentially introducing mandatory psychological assessments for minors seeking firearm licences.
• Community response: Local councils are rolling out “Safe Beaches” initiatives, including increased CCTV coverage and rapid‑response units stationed at high‑traffic coastal locations.

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All facts is sourced from NSW Police press releases, ABC News Australia, and court documents released under the Freedom of Information Act. © 2025 Archyde.com – All Rights Reserved.