Bondi Beach Gunman Appears in Court After Deadly Shooting
A man accused of carrying out a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach faced court for the first time this week. The attack happened during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in December 2025 and resulted in 15 deaths.
Who Is the Accused?
Naveed Akram, 24, appeared via video from Goulburn Correctional Centre – a maximum-security prison southwest of Sydney. He’s charged with 59 offenses related to the December 14 attack. The charges include 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, and a terror offense.
What Happened During the Attack?
Police say Akram carried out the shooting with his 50-year-old father, Sajid, who was killed during the incident at Bondi Beach. The violence erupted during a public Hanukkah event, shocking locals and making international headlines.
The Courtroom Scene
During the brief hearing, Akram wore prison greens and stayed mostly silent. He only spoke to confirm he understood discussions about keeping victims’ details private. His lawyer, Ben Archbold, later told reporters Akram is coping “as well as he can be” despite tough prison conditions.
What’s Next for the Case?
Archbold hasn’t discussed the attack details with Akram yet and says it’s too early to know how he’ll plead. “We’re just starting the process,” the lawyer explained, noting they’re waiting for evidence documents. The defense stressed they’ll fulfill their professional duties regardless of personal views about the case.
Looking Ahead
The case has been adjourned and will return to court in April 2026. Until then, Akram remains in custody at the high-security prison as investigations continue into one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in recent history.
