Disturbing new video evidence has surfaced, showing survivors of the Bondi Beach terror attack cowering mere feet away from the alleged gunmen. The footage, released alongside police evidence, paints a harrowing picture of the December 14 assault on people celebrating Hanukkah.
Chilling Footage Captures Moments of Terror
The previously unseen video shows a group of five individuals – two men, a child, a teenage boy, and a woman – taking desperate cover on a set of steps leading to a footbridge in Archer Park. It was at this location that the suspected terrorist shooters, Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, allegedly opened fire.
In the footage, the crowd is seen fleeing for their lives as Sajid Akram appears at the top of the staircase. One man is visibly using his own body to shield the child as shots from a high-powered rifle ring out. The group then makes a frantic dash for safety underneath the footbridge, while the teenage boy sprints in the opposite direction towards the beach.
Another individual in a white t-shirt came within inches of Sajid Akram's rifle. The footage suggests the gunman momentarily aimed his weapon at this person but did not fire, allowing them to run down the opposite side of the staircase and out of view.
Police Evidence Reveals Alleged Preparation
The release of the footage coincides with the unveiling of key police evidence by a Sydney court on Monday. Suppression orders were lifted by a NSW Court, allowing the publication of a detailed statement of facts.
This evidence includes photographs allegedly showing the two men posing with firearms and homemade devices in the weeks leading up to the attack. In one video, recorded in October, the pair are said to have posed in front of an Islamic State flag and outlined their purported motives for the planned Bondi Beach assault.
The court documents allege the attackers were armed with homemade pipe bombs and an explosive tennis ball bomb. According to the statement, these devices were thrown towards the crowd at Bondi during the attack but failed to detonate.
"Preliminary analysis indicates the pipe bombs were made of sealed aluminium piping containing explosives, black powder, and steel ball bearings," the documents stated. "The pipe bombs did not detonate, however, preliminary analysis indicates both items were assessed as viable improvised explosive devices."
Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police moments after the attack began. His son, Naveed Akram, was injured during the incident and is now facing a slew of serious charges. These include 15 counts of murder related to the terror attack.
The release of this evidence provides a stark and terrifying insight into the events of December 14 and the alleged planning that preceded it. The investigation continues as the surviving alleged perpetrator awaits trial.
