Charges Withdrawn After Camouflage Vest Triggers Bomb Scare at Bondi Shooting Vigil
Prosecutors have withdrawn all charges against a Victorian man whose unusual exercise attire sparked a major bomb scare during a solemn vigil for the victims of the Bondi mass shooting. Cleophias Machaya, aged 34, faced allegations of offensive behaviour in a public place after police received an urgent triple-zero emergency call in Bondi Junction, located in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Vigil Night Incident Leads to Police Response
The incident unfolded late on the evening of January 11, shortly after 10pm, when Machaya was out walking while wearing a distinctive outfit. His attire consisted of a black puffer jacket combined with a weighted camouflage vest that featured conspicuous silver gaffer tape wrapped around its bottom section.
This occurred on the same night that thousands of mourners gathered under heavy police security on nearby Bondi Beach. The vigil was held to commemorate the fifteen individuals tragically killed when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration in mid-December.
Intensive Search Reveals No Explosives
Officers swiftly approached Machaya and conducted a thorough search for explosive devices. According to official police facts presented in court, the suspicious vest was subjected to an X-ray examination and subsequently cut open to confirm its contents. No explosive material was located during this detailed inspection.
Instead, police discovered a gold vape device, a credit card, and a set of car keys within the vest. Machaya explained to authorities that he wore the duct-taped camouflage vest strictly as an exercise aid during his walking routine, stating he was actively training for the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts competition.
Medical Assessment and Additional Discoveries
Paramedics attended the scene and performed a comprehensive mental health assessment on the 34-year-old Victorian man, ultimately clearing him of any immediate concerns. During a subsequent search of Machaya's black LDV van, officers located a second weighted vest, a GoPro camera, two mobile phones, and a small tin containing approximately five grams of cannabis leaf.
Court Proceedings and Final Outcomes
On Tuesday, prosecutors formally withdrew the primary charge of offensive behaviour in a public place, along with an additional charge of providing false information to police. During a bail hearing held in January, Machaya became visibly emotional, sobbing and shaking his head while stating, "I just made a mistake."
The court did find Machaya guilty of possessing a prohibited drug related to the cannabis discovery. However, he received no formal conviction for this offence. This resolution concludes a case that briefly alarmed a community already grieving from a separate tragic shooting incident.
