Bondi Beach Attacker Naveed Akram's Mother Says 'He Doesn't Have a Firearm, He's a Good Boy'

A day after the deadly terror attack during a Jewish festival at Sydney's Bondi Beach, the mother of accused attacker Naveed Akram has spoken out, rejecting claims that her son was involved in violence.

The attack during Hanukkah left 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old child, and has sent shockwaves across Australia.

Naveed Akram (24) is currently in custody after being detained at the crime scene. His father, Sajid Akram (50), was shot dead by police after allegedly opening fire on the crowd.

Mother Recounts Son's Last Phone Call Before Attack

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Naveed's mother Verena said her son and husband had gone on what she believed was a routine weekend fishing trip to Jervis Bay.

"He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. We're going ... to eat now, and then this morning, and we're going to stay home now because it's very hot," Verena said.

She added that nothing during the call suggested anything was amiss, and she was unaware of any plans to attend the Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach.

'He Doesn't Have a Firearm,' Mother Insists

In the hours after the attack, images circulating online appeared to show Naveed holding a firearm at the scene. Verena, however, strongly denied that her son could be involved in such acts.

"He doesn't have a firearm. He doesn't even go out. He doesn't mix with friends. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, he doesn't go to bad places ... he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and that's it," she said.

"Anyone would wish to have a son like my son ... he's a good boy."

Family Background and Recent Struggles

Naveed previously worked as a bricklayer but lost his job months ago after the construction company he was employed with became insolvent. His father Sajid ran a fruit shop.

The family, including Verena, Naveed, his 20-year-old brother, and 22-year-old sister, lived together in a house in western Sydney that they purchased last year.

Investigation Continues as Leaders Condemn Attack

Authorities are still working to establish the motive behind the attack, which occurred while nearly 1,000 people had gathered at Bondi Beach to mark the beginning of Hanukkah.

Investigators said the attackers targeted a raised boardwalk area where swimmers had gathered to cool off. The father and son allegedly fired long-barrelled guns for nearly 10 minutes before police intervened, killing Sajid and arresting Naveed.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

"What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores," he said.