Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, have been identified as the gunmen who carried out the attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, where 15 people were killed. Sajid Akram, who was 50 and owned a fruit shop, was shot and killed by police at the scene. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, was taken to hospital and is still in critical condition.
Now, his mother has come out and spoken to Sydney Morning Herald where she revealed that she had spoken to him on Sunday morning, just hours before he carryout out the attack. She insisted that her son is a “good boy” and refused to believe that he would carry out a terror attack.
‘Anyone would wish to have a son like my son,’ says Bondi Beach gunman Naveed’s mother
Naveed‘s mother told the Sydney Morning Herald that her son did not own any firearm and that he rarely went out. She revealed that he did not spend any time partying, drinking, or smoking, and stayed away from trouble. According to her, his routine was simple – going to work, coming home, exercising, and pretty much keeping to himself. “Anyone would wish to have a son like my son.. he’s a good boy,” she said.
The father and son had told their family they were going on a fishing trip to Jervis Bay, about 200 kilometres south of Sydney, for the weekend.
Verena said she last spoke with Naveed on Sunday morning, just hours before the attack. She explained that he called her to say he had gone swimming and scuba diving, was about to get something to eat, and planned to stay inside afterward because of the hot weather.
Naveed was laid-off two-months ago
Naveed Akram had earlier studied the Koran at the Al-Murad Institute in Heckenberg, Sydney, reported The Telegraph. He lived in a three-bedroom house with his parents, younger sister, and brother. The home was bought in 2024.
His mother also revealed that Naveed was laid-off from his construction job two months ago after the company went out of business.
Police are still stationed at the family’s home to keep the public away while investigations into the Bondi Beach attack continue.