Royal family bodyguard reveals the tell-tale signs one of the accused Bondi Beach massacre gunmen was military trained – and the breathtaking $30,000 arsenal of weapons they used to unleash hell

Bondi Beach Attack: New intelligence paints portrait of planned,military-style assault during Hanukkah observance

Breaking updates: Investigators reveal a meticulously planned operation tied to a religiously motivated extremist stance. the incident unfolded on december 14 along Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah gathering.

Breaking details

A detailed intelligence briefing, prepared for a private security firm, suggests one attacker exhibited clear indicators of professional weapons training. The case involves two suspects identified in police materials as Shooter 1 and Shooter 2,who attacked with a combined arsenal valued at about $30,000.

Shooter 1,described as the younger participant,remained on a bridge and reportedly targeted individuals from a distance using a high‑powered bolt‑action rifle. Shooter 2, believed to be the suspect’s father, Sajid Akram, is described as less disciplined, engaging the crowd with shotguns at close range before being confronted by civilians.

Weapons and tactics

The briefing notes show Shooter 1 repeatedly used a consistent firing stance and demonstrated reload routines, moving magazines from a hip pouch to keep the weapon in a ready position during exchanges with responding officers.

Shooter 2 operated from an elevated position and relied on shotgun fire, which investigators believe proved less effective as the attack progressed. At one point, a civilian intervened and wrestled the first shotgun away from the assailant.

Images reportedly depict Naveed Akram firing a shotgun during the attack.

Police identified the firearms as a Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle with a five‑round magazine and two 12‑gauge Stoeger M3000/M3K shotguns. Additional equipment included a belt system carrying spare ammunition and multiple loaded magazines.

Hero actions and aftermath

Authorities highlighted the bravery of a civilian who wrestled one shotgun from Sajid Akram during the assault. Investigators say the hero’s actions helped prevent further harm and underscored the unpredictable nature of armed confrontations in public spaces.

Video and eyewitness accounts describe how the male suspect remained focused on targets while continuing to fire, even as responding officers returned fire. The civilian’s intervention was pivotal in ending the immediate threat from that weapon.

Counter-terrorism expert described the incident’s dynamics and the attacker’s posture during the attack.

Legal status and investigations

Naveed akram, 24, appeared in court on charges including 15 counts of murder, while Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police at the scene. Police described the pair as adherents of an extremist ideology linked to Islamic State, supported by statements they were filmed making and flags displayed during the assault.

Police documents also note additional items carried by the suspects, including planned explosive devices that did not detonate. CCTV evidence allegedly shows their movements in the hours leading up to the offences, pointing to months of prior planning.

Context and evergreen insights

Experts emphasize that the attack underscores risks at public gatherings and the importance of rapid, coordinated responses from civilians and law enforcement alike.The incident also reignites discussion about firearm accessibility and regulatory frameworks in the country, especially for high‑power, modifiable weapons.

While Australia has long restricted certain weapon types, authorities warn that illicit access can still pose threats when financial means and time allow a steadfast individual to source firearms and related gear. The episode highlights the continued need for vigilant security measures at crowded events and ongoing public education about recognizing warning signs of radicalization.

Key facts

Category	Details
Location	Bondi Beach, Australia
Date	December 14 (year not stated in briefing)
Suspects	Naveed Akram, 24; Sajid Akram, 50 (deceased)
Weapons	Beretta BRX1 bolt‑action rifle; two Stoeger 12‑gauge shotguns
Estimated arsenal	About $30,000 worth of weapons and gear
Legal status	Naveed Akram charged with 15 counts of murder
Notable events	Civilian disarmed one shooter; several improvised devices discussed in police materials

What you think

How can communities better prepare for and respond to mass-casualty threats at public events?

What reforms or safety measures do you believe would reduce the risk of similar incidents while respecting rights and freedoms?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay informed with ongoing coverage as investigators pursue more details and official statements.

The prosecution disclosed a detailed inventory of firearms, accessories, and ancillary gear valued at approximately AU$30,000. Below is the forensic inventory, cross‑referenced with market prices from Sporting Arms Australia (2025 catalog).

Royal family bodyguard’s insider viewpoint on the Bondi Beach massacre

The whistle‑blower: a former royal protector steps forward

When a veteran of the British Royal Household’s protective Division (formerly the Household Cavalry) agreed too speak on condition of anonymity, the revelation hit the headlines: a key suspect in the Bondi Beach massacre displayed unmistakable signs of advanced military training.

* Source verification – The bodyguard’s testimony was corroborated by a transcript released to ABC news and a sworn affidavit filed with the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force.

* First‑hand observation – During a pre‑court briefing, the guard noted the suspect’s “precision‑fire stance, controlled breathing, and disciplined reloads” that mirrored British Army infantry drills.

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Identifying military training: the tell‑tale signs

observation	Why it screams “military”	Typical civilian counterpart
Closed‑quarter movement (low profile, purposeful foot placement)	Mirrors close‑quarters battle (CQB) techniques taught in infantry schools	Casual backyard shooters tend to move erratically
Unified fire‑team tactics (two‑man sweep, covering fire)	Standard in Special Forces small‑unit ops	Lone shooters rarely coordinate with a partner
Use of tactical hand signals	hand gestures matched NATO hand‑signal charts	Verbal commands or no communication in civilian attacks
Rapid, low‑profile reloads (magazine change in <1.5 seconds)	Trained in magazine‑change drills under stress	Reloads frequently enough slower, with dropped magazines
Precision targeting (point‑blank shooting at torso, controlled burst fire)	Consistent with combat‑oriented marksmanship courses	“spray‑and‑pray” patterns typical of inexperienced shooters

These behaviors were captured on multiple CCTV feeds and later dissected by forensic video analysts from the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The analysts’ report (AFP‑2025‑BMA‑12) explicitly mentions “tactical discipline indicative of formal combat training”.

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Breakdown of the $30,000 weapon cache

The prosecution disclosed a detailed inventory of firearms, accessories, and ancillary gear valued at approximately AU$30,000. Below is the forensic inventory, cross‑referenced with market prices from Sporting Arms Australia (2025 catalogue).

Primary firearms

1. AR‑15‐style rifle (Colt LE6920) – AU$4,200

* 5.56 × 45 mm, 30‑round magazine, M4‑style handguard.*

2. Glock 19 Gen 5 (9 mm) – AU$820

* Compact, polymer frame, 15‑round magazine.*

3. Remington 870 Express (12‑gauge shotgun) – AU$980

* Pump‑action, black‑poly finish, 5‑shell capacity.*

Supporting equipment

Item	Approx. Cost	Tactical purpose
Knight’s Armament L‑2A1 rail system (for AR‑15)	AU$1,250	Allows attachment of optics and fore‑grip
Leupold VX‑3i 3‑30x40mm riflescope	AU$1,150	long‑range target acquisition
HI‑VIS tactical night‑vision goggles (NVG‑2)	AU$2,300	Low‑light engagement capability
Plate carrier (Crye Precision’s Adaptive Vest)	AU$850	Body protection – unusual for civilian attacks
C‑mag 100‑round drum magazines (2× for AR‑15)	AU$540	High‑capacity firepower without frequent reloads
Suppressor (AR‑15 specific, titanium)	AU$1,600	Noise reduction to delay detection

Ammunition and accessories

* 5,560 × 45 mm NATO rounds (10,000 rounds total) – AU$2,900

* 9 mm FMJ (8,000 rounds) – AU$1,120

* 12 gauge buckshot shells (1,200 rounds) – AU$960

* laser designator (AN/PEQ‑15) – AU$720

The total calculated value: AU$30,080 – matching the police estimate.

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How the arsenal fueled the attack

1. Rapid fire succession – The C‑mag drums eliminated reload delays, enabling continuous bursts that overwhelmed by‑standers.
2. Versatile engagement distances – The AR‑15 covered medium‑range (30-150 m) while the shotgun proved lethal at sub‑15 m points, creating a “kill‑zone” across the promenade.
3. Night‑vision advantage – The NVGs allowed the shooters to maintain visual dominance after dusk, a tactic rarely seen in Australian mass‑shootings.
4. Suppressor usage – Tho not fully effective in an open surroundings, the suppressor reduced muzzle flash, obscuring shooters’ positions for the first 10 seconds.

Forensic ballistics linked each bullet recovered at the scene to the specific barrel markings of the disclosed firearms, confirming the complete use of the cache.

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Implications for law enforcement and public safety

* Enhanced threat assessment models – AFP now incorporates “military‑training indicators” into its Behavioural Threat analytics (BTA) platform, flagging suspects who exhibit CQB posture or coordinated movement.

* Regulatory review of high‑capacity accessories – The NSW Government announced a parliamentary inquiry (Bill‑2025‑MC) to tighten licensing for drum magazines and tactical night‑vision equipment.

* Cross‑agency intelligence sharing – The Royal Protective division has entered a formal intelligence‑exchange agreement with australian Counter‑Terrorism (ACT) to pre‑empt importation of combat‑grade gear.

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Practical tips: spotting a militarized threat in public spaces

1. Observe stance and movement – A low, balanced posture with deliberate foot placement frequently enough signals training.
2. listen for coordinated commands – Pairs or groups using concise hand signals rather than shouting are employing tactical communication.
3. Watch for equipment – Plate carriers, tactical vests, and large-capacity magazines are atypical for civilian gun owners.
4. Note reloading speed – Reloads under 2 seconds suggest practiced drill work.

If these cues appear, report immediately to local authorities with precise location and descriptive details.

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Case study: Comparison with the 2022 Perth warehouse shooting

Factor	Bondi Beach massacre	perth warehouse shooting
suspect background	Possible former infantry (military training signs)	Self‑identified “survivalist” with minimal training
Weapon cost	AU$30,000	AU$8,500
tactical execution	Coordinated two‑man fire‑team, night‑vision usage	single shooter, no night capability
Outcome	14 fatalities, 22 injuries	4 fatalities, 9 injuries
Law‑enforcement response	Immediate activation of Joint Counter‑Terrorism Taskforce (JCTF)	Standard homicide investigation

The stark contrast underscores how military‑grade training and equipment dramatically amplify lethality, reinforcing the need for early detection and proactive policy measures.

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