A man who shares his name with one of the suspected Bondi Beach shooters has issued an appeal to the public.
Tragic events unfolded at Sydney’s renowned Bondi Beach, Australia, on December 14, as crowds gathered to mark the beginning of Hanukkah when gunfire erupted.
Currently, 15 individuals have lost their lives in the mass shooting, including a 10-year-old girl.
Among the victims were two Rabbis, identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, according to CNN.
Schlanger, originally from the UK, has been remembered as having ‘a happy personality’, while Levitan is honored as a ‘profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community’.
The Australian authorities have reported that the attack, which also left numerous individuals injured, was carried out by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son.
The shooting has been classified as a terrorist act specifically targeting the Jewish festival on Hanukkah’s opening day.
Sajid and Naveed Akram have been identified in the media as the assailants.
Authorities reported that the suspects fired upon more than 1,000 attendees of a Jewish festival in Archer Park at approximately 6:40pm local time.
In response to the release of the suspects’ names, another individual named Naveed Akram felt compelled to clarify that he is not associated with the alleged shooters. This Naveed Akram is originally from Pakistan and resides in Sydney.
In a video posted on the Facebook page of the Pakistan Consulate General Sydney, he expressed that people have been misusing his social media photos to associate him with the suspect.
“I am going to clearly tell everyone that that is not me and I have nothing to do with that incident or with that person,” he stated. “That is a different person, and I am completely outside of this matter.”
See the video here:
Naveed further explained: “This issue is very serious and I’m very stressed and scared about this. I cannot even go outside safely, so I just want everyone’s help to help me stop this propaganda.”
He also urged people to report online accounts that falsely connect his photos to the shooting incident.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation following the tragic events, vowing to tighten gun control laws.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” he emphasized.
“People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.
Or, if you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell at (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].