Naveed Akram: Who is the Suspect Behind the Bondi Beach Terror Attack?
By The Sydney Crime Desk | Published: December 15, 2025
Following the devastating terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday, New South Wales Police have identified 24-year-old Naveed Akram as a central figure in the massacre. As counter-terrorism raids continue across Sydney's south-west, a profile is emerging of the man police say helped orchestrate the tragedy at Bondi Beach.
Who is Naveed Akram?
Naveed Akram is a 24-year-old resident of Bonnyrigg, a suburb in South-West Sydney. Police records indicate he lived in a family-owned home in the area, where he had resided for approximately one year before the December 14 shooting. His identification was confirmed Sunday night after detectives recovered his driver's license at the crime scene on Campbell Parade.
Education and International Connections
Investigators are closely scrutinizing Akram's movements between Australia and Pakistan. He was a student at Central Queensland University (Sydney campus), but his educational background extends overseas. Intelligence sources have revealed that Akram spent significant time in Pakistan, attending:
- Hamdard University in Islamabad.
- The Al Murad Institute, where former associates reportedly described him as a "model student."
Detectives are currently analyzing whether these overseas stays played a role in his radicalization or the planning of the "ideologically motivated" attack.
Was Naveed Akram on a Terror Watchlist?
One of the most pressing questions facing the NSW Police Force is Akram's prior status with intelligence agencies. Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that Akram was "known to authorities," including ASIO.
However, he was not under active surveillance at the time of the shooting. Security assessments had previously deemed him to have "very, very little knowledge to the police" regarding specific violent intent, classifying him as "not an immediate threat." This classification is expected to trigger a major internal review.
Role in the Shooting and Current Status
Akram, alongside an accomplice, allegedly stormed the "Hanukkah by the Sea" event dressed in tactical black gear. They were armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and a straight-pull rifle. Police also neutralized suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) found in a vehicle linked to Akram.
The status of Naveed Akram remains a point of developing news. While police confirmed one gunman was killed and the second is in critical condition under arrest, authorities have not yet publicly specified which of these two individuals is Akram.