Australia police cost surviving Bondi Beach gunman as first funerals held | News | USAEMALL.com

Fifty-nine charges are being introduced after the deadly shooting that also wounded dozens of others.

Australian authorities say they have charged a man who opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, with “terrorism” and murder charges, as mourners gathered to begin funerals for the victims.

Police and local courts said on Wednesday that 59 charges are being introduced after the deadly shooting that also wounded dozens of others, including two officers.

Among the offenses are “committing a terrorist act”, murder, wounding with intent to murder, placing an explosive, and discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

There are 20 people receiving care in Sydney hospitals for injuries sustained in Sunday’s shooting, according to NSW Health. That includes one patient in a critical condition and several in a critical but stable condition.

Two gunmen, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, carried the attack using six firearms owned by the former.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said police were still waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning the son, who was shot but survived the shooting.

Naveed Akram reportedly woke up from a coma on Tuesday afternoon. Sajid Akram died at the scene of the shooting.

“For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” he said.

New South Wales state police said in a statement on Wednesday that they will say in court that 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,” the police said in a statement, referring to the armed group also known as ISIL.

First funeral held as legislation advances

The first funerals were held on Tuesday to remember the victims of the attack, which took place during the Jewish festival of lights.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan were hailed by their family and peers, including during a ceremony at a local synagogue.

Syrian-Australian man Ahmed al-Ahmed tackled one of the gunmen during the attack, wrestling a shotgun from his grip and turning it on the attacker.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that he is “the best of our country” for saving countless lives as he visited the hospital where the man was being treated for gunshot wounds.

Tens of thousands of people have donated to al-Ahmed in a fundraising page established by Australians who have never met him, with the campaign raising over 2.3 million Australian dollars ($1.5 million).

Al-Ahmed was shot several times in the arm, and faces several months of recovery after undergoing surgery and having more operations scheduled.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a news conference that he is calling parliament back next week in order to deal with “urgent legislation” in light of the shooting before Christmas.

He said the government is proposing a bill on gun reform, with possible measures including capping the number of firearms a person is allowed to own, and reclassify straight shotguns.

Minns also said he wants legal reforms so no applications can be accepted for protests after “terror events” in order to preserve social calm. A mass demonstration in the current “combustible situation” could cause major issues, according to the official.