A former colleague of the Bondi Beach shooting suspect has described feeling “shock and disbelief” after recognising the alleged attacker in images circulating on social media, saying he never expected someone he worked with for years to be capable of such violence.
The man said he worked alongside the suspect as a bricklayer for about five years and described him as quiet, polite, and disciplined on the job.
He said the suspect kept to himself, rarely spoke about religion, and did not push his personal views on others.
Bondi Beach shooter was Indian, says former colleague
According to the colleague, the suspect came from a mixed Indian and Italian background, with his mother being Italian and his father Indian.
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“He’s background is Indian and Italian like I think he’s Yeah, his mom’s Italian, Dad’s Indian,” the former colleague said in an exclusive interview to international media outlet.
He said the man occasionally discussed personal views but did not speak extensively about religion or attempt to influence others.
Indian Propaganda Exposed
A man wrongly associated with the recent Bondi Beach shooting has spoken out against what he describes as a coordinated misinformation campaign originating from Indian and Afghan media outlets and social media accounts.
These platforms allegedly circulated fabricated images, misleading videos, and unverified claims in an attempt to link the attackers to Pakistan – claims that have not been corroborated by any credible international source.
Australian authorities confirmed that at least 15 people were killed and more than 40 injured when a father and son opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.
Police identified the suspects as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son.
READ: Australia: Sydney’s Bondi Beach shooting leaves 10 dead, 12 injured
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the father arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, later transitioning to a partner visa and holding a resident return visa.
As false claims spread online, Sheikh Naveed – who resides in Sydney – released a video statement after his photographs were incorrectly shared on social media and linked to the attack due to a name similarity. He firmly denied any involvement in the incident.
In the video, Naveed explained that he has lived in Sydney since 2018, completed his higher education in Australia, and currently operates a rental business.
He strongly condemned the Bondi Beach shooting and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
He said his image had been taken from Facebook and falsely presented as one of the attackers, urging the public to report such misleading posts to stop further spread.
Speaking to AFP, the 30-year-old said he learned around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday that he had been wrongly identified as a suspect. He described receiving a flood of threatening messages, leaving him fearful for his safety and deeply distressed.
Australia Moves Toward Stricter Gun Laws
Following the deadliest mass shooting in the country in nearly three decades, Australia has announced plans to tighten its gun regulations. Authorities revealed that the older suspect had legally held a firearms licence since 2015 and owned six registered weapons.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal cabinet had agreed to pursue stronger gun control measures, including the creation of a national firearms registry. Proposed reforms may address licence duration, the number of weapons allowed per licence, and the types of firearms permitted.
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“People’s circumstances can change, and radicalisation can occur over time,” Albanese said, emphasising that firearm licences should not be indefinite.
Police confirmed that the father was killed at the scene, raising the death toll to 16, while the son remains in critical condition. Among the injured were two police officers, both in serious but stable condition. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.
Authorities have not officially released the suspects’ names, though Australian media outlets identified them. Investigations into their background are ongoing, with police stating that one suspect was known to authorities but not previously considered an immediate threat.
Videos from the scene appeared to show the attackers using a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun. Local media also reported that two Islamic State flags were found in the suspects’ vehicle, though officials have not formally confirmed this detail.-
