Bondi Beach gunman charged with murders, victims grieve

SYDNEY (AFP) — Australian police charged one of the alleged Bondi Beach gunmen with murder and terrorism on Wednesday, as grief-stricken mourners buried the first of 15 people slain in the attack. 

Sajid Akram and his son Naveed are accused of opening fire on a Jewish festival at the famed surf beach on Sunday evening, killing 15 people in a shooting spree inspired by the Islamic State group. 

Naveed was charged with 15 counts of murder on Wednesday after waking from a coma, as well as committing a “terrorist act” and planting a bomb with intent to harm.

“Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” New South Wales state police said in a statement. 

“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organization in Australia.”

Father Sajid, 50, was killed at the scene in a shootout with police.

Naveed, 24, was also shot and remained in hospital under police guard.

Authorities said the attack was designed to sow panic among the nation’s Jews.

Australian police are investigating whether the pair met with Islamist extremists during a visit to the Philippines weeks before the shooting.

The Philippines said on Wednesday there was no evidence that the country was being used for “terrorist training.”

Outpouring of grief

Mourners collapsed in grief as they held the first funerals for those slain in the attack.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was the first laid to rest, drawing masses of black-clad mourners who spilled out of the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue in Sydney’s east.

Two young women howled with sorrow as they flung themselves on the father-of-five’s casket that was draped with a black velvet cloth bearing the Star of David.

“You’re my son, my friend and confidant,” father-in-law Yehoram Ulman, choking back tears, told the funeral.

“To think I will go a day without you, it doesn’t seem possible.”

The 41-year-old was a popular figure known to many around town as the “rabbi of Bondi.”

He served as a chaplain in prisons and hospitals, according to the Hasidic Chabad movement.

Weeping men fell into each other’s arms as their legs buckled under the weight of their anguish. 

“This loss is massive for the entire Jewish nation, but for our community here, and for Chabad of Bondi, the loss is unspeakable,” rabbi Levi Wolff told the funeral.

Squads of police patrolled the streets outside the Bondi synagogue, marshalling the large crowds gathered for the service.

Those unable to cram inside huddled together on the street to watch on their cellphones.

“My heart goes out to the community today and every day,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“But today particularly will be a difficult day with the first funerals underway.”