Australia Government on Wednesday filed 59 charges against the only surviving suspect, Naveed Akram who is one of the suspected persons allegedly responsible for the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in the city of Sydney targeting Jewish people on the Jews first day to mark this year Hanukkah festival which led to the killing of 16 persons including a married couple who were said initially tried to disarm one of the attackers before the husband and wife were killed, children aged 10 and above and the suspect father and co perpetrator, Sajid Akram who was killed on the spot by the police, and 41 others including police officers and the bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed who disarmed the 50 years old one of the gunmen, some of the 20 of the injured persons are still in critical condition in the hospital based on statement issued on Wednesday by local authority in Sydney, this, according to the New South Wales Police Force in a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the suspect was brought before the court “following extensive inquiries under Operation Arques, today Wednesday 17 December, (New South Wales Joint Counter Terrorism Team), JCTT investigators attended a hospital where they charged a 24-year-old Bonnyrigg man with 59 offences, including: Commit terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder, Discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, Cause public display of prohibited terrorist organisation symbol, place explosive in/near building with intent cause harm”, and the court adjourned the case to April 2026 after the suspect made first appearance from his hospital bed before the Bail Division Local Court 7 via Audio Visual Link, AVL.

The suspect was critically injured during the incident on Sunday, and had his first hearing from his hospital bedside, the local New South Wales court said. Earlier on Wednesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said they were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram. “For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” Lanyon said.

Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it appears to have been “motivated by Islamic State” group ideology.

Police said “homemade” Islamic State group flags and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been found in the vehicle used by the gunmen.

According to the New South Wales Police Force: “The New South Wales Joint Counter Terrorism Team has formally charged a 24-year-old man alleged to be one of two gunmen responsible for the Bondi Beach mass shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people.

About 6.40pm on Sunday 14 December 2025, emergency services were called to Bondi Beach following reports of a public place shooting.

Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, surrounding commands, and specialist police responded and located two men using long arms to fire into crowds of people.

Multiple officers exchanged fire with the gunmen, and two officers – a constable and probationary constable – suffered gunshot wounds.

During the incident, one gunman – a 50-year-old man – was shot by police and died at the scene. The second gunman – his 24-year-old son – suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.

Fifteen people died during the attack, with 41 people – including four children – taken to hospital. There are currently 20 patients continuing to receive care across several Sydney hospitals.

Those who died are still in the process of being formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87. Of the two injured officers, the constable is in a critical but stable condition, while the probationary constable is in a stable condition.

New South Wales, NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon APM declared the incident terror related, and the investigation was referred to the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCCT) under Operation Arques.

The NSW JCTT comprises members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.

Following extensive inquiries under Operation Arques, today (Wednesday 17 December), JCTT investigators attended a hospital where they charged a 24-year-old Bonnyrigg man with 59 offences, including: Commit terrorist act. 15 counts of murder. 40 counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder. Discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm. Cause public display of prohibited terrorist org symbol. Place explosive in/near building with intent cause harm

Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community.

Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia. He remains in hospital under police guard to face Bail Division Local Court 7 via AVL today.

Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1-8-0-0-1-2-3-4-0-0″.

On the state of one of the police officers shot during the attack, the New South Wales Police Force published a statement issued on behalf of the family of Jack Hibbert, probationary constable injured during Bondi shooting on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 around 11:58:48am local Australia time, which indicated thus; “On the 14th of December, Jack Hibbert was shot while fulfilling his role as a police officer at Bondi Beach.

While serving and protecting the community, Jack sustained two bullet wounds – one to his head and another to his shoulder. Jack was on duty, patrolling the Hanukkah celebration interacting with the community at Bondi Beach, when the incident first occurred.

Jack was taken to ICU where he was intubated and underwent multiple surgeries. Although miraculously surviving, Jack’s injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one of his eyes and he now faces a long and challenging recovery ahead, with additional surgeries required.

Jack is just 22 years old and has only been in the police force for four months. Even so, in the face of a violent and tragic incident, he responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to. Jack was simply doing his job – a job he deeply loves – driven by a commitment to protect the community, even at great personal cost.

Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited in hospital and given testaments to Jack’s bravery during the incident, describing his devotion to his community. They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, and continued helping others while seriously injured.

The support from the police force and hospital staff has been unmatched and we are beyond grateful. We thank the wider community for their kindness, support, and prayers for Jack and our family during this difficult time.

We ask all to respect our privacy as we move through these next stages to support Jack and all his needs to a full recovery”.