Sydney Terror Attack: Sydney Terror Attack: 'My Son is a Good Boy, He Can't Do This,' Says Attacker's Mother

The horrific terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach has sent shockwaves across Australia. This brutal incident claimed the lives of 16 innocent people and left more than 60 injured. The attack occurred during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, a time when thousands had gathered at Bondi Beach. The assailants opened indiscriminate fire, plunging the entire area into chaos and despair. Australian police have officially declared the incident a terrorist attack.

Authorities identified the attackers as a father-son duo, Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. In a swift response, law enforcement officers neutralized Sajid Akram at the scene. Naveed Akram was injured during the police shootout, subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment, and later taken into custody. The sheer scale of the attack can be gauged from eyewitness accounts, which reported that the assailants fired indiscriminately for approximately 20 minutes, causing a stampede among the estimated 2000 people present. Among the 16 fatalities was a 10-year-old child, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.

Attacker's Mother in Shock and Disbelief

Verena, the mother of attacker Naveed Akram, is reportedly in deep shock following the incident. According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, Verena finds it impossible to believe that her son could be involved in such an act of violence. She stated that she couldn't even recognize her son in the pictures taken from the crime scene. Defending her son, Verena asserted that Naveed neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, nor does he possess any firearms. She described him as a simple, quiet boy who doesn't socialize much with friends. Her account suggests that Naveed's routine primarily involved going to work, exercising,. And returning home, making his alleged involvement in the attack unfathomable to her.

Last Conversation Before the Attack

Verena also recounted her last conversation with Naveed, which took place just hours before the attack, while she mentioned that Naveed called her on Sunday morning. At that time, he was on a weekend trip with his father, Sajid Akram, in Jervis Bay. Naveed told his mother that he had gone swimming and scuba diving. He also informed her that they were going out to. Eat and would then stay indoors due to the intense heat. This seemingly ordinary conversation, occurring so close to the horrific event, has only deepened Verena's distress. She struggles to reconcile the image of her son, who spoke of such mundane activities, with the perpetrator of such a heinous crime.

Unemployment and a Mother's Hopes

Verena further revealed that Naveed had been unemployed for approximately two months. The company he worked for had gone bankrupt, and Naveed was actively searching for a new job. Expressing her unwavering belief in her son's character, Verena stated, 'Everyone would want a son like mine. He's a good boy. ' These words underscore the profound pain of a mother who refuses to believe her. Child could be involved in wrongdoing, especially when she holds such strong convictions about his character. Her statements reflect a mother's natural instinct to protect and defend her child, even in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Prime Minister's Statement and Targeted Attack on Jews

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the attack, categorizing it as an act of terrorism. He explicitly stated that the attack was targeted at Jewish people, given its occurrence during the significant festival of Hanukkah, while this declaration further emphasizes the gravity of the attack and its potential underlying motives. The incident at Bondi Beach has created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety not only within the local community but across the entire nation. Security agencies are now engaged in a thorough investigation to uncover the full network and motives behind this attack, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future and bring all perpetrators to justice.