Sydney: Attack by Hunting Club Members on Hanukkah Celebration

According to Reuters, the attack lasted approximately ten minutes, with hundreds of people fleeing in panic.

Investigators are also examining evidence of possible additional suspects as well as explosive devices in the vicinity of the crime scene. Eyewitness accounts describe how people sought refuge in nearby buildings and hid after seeing the weapons. Footage shows an ammunition belt loaded with shotgun cartridges. What this reveals about planning or intent remains unclear.

The perpetrators have not yet been officially identified by full name. However, Australian ABC reports, citing an anonymous senior official, that one of the alleged shooters is named Naveed Akram and comes from the suburb of Bonnyrigg, where his home has reportedly been searched. Importantly, this identification is based on a source within investigative circles, not on a formal public confirmation by police. On the card beneath the driver's licence, the words 'Zastava Hunting Association' are apparently visible — a hunting club in Bonnyrigg, the suburb from which the alleged suspect originates. Less than four minutes by car from the 24-year-old bricklayer's home. A former work colleague described him to the Guardian as strange but diligent, with an interest in hunting. 'Nobody was close to him,' he added.

Our vision is to promote the acceptance of hunting as an honorable sport in society and to make hunting accessible to all. – Zastava Hunting Association

It is unclear how long Naveed had already been a member of the association. 

Hunting weapons, hunters, responsibility

Reports mention long-barreled firearms and indicate that shotguns as well as shotgun cartridge casings were found at the scene. Such weapons are classified as hunting firearms in many countries as well. The key point is: no offender profile can be derived from the weapon type. A hunting weapon does not automatically make someone a hunter. It does, however, illustrate how closely civilian weapon availability and lethal violence are linked when such devices fall into the wrong hands or are misused.

Claims are circulating on social media that one of the perpetrators had a connection to the «Zastava Hunting Association».

The core of the scandal: hobby hunting as a gateway to firearms

According to the BBC, authorities confirmed that the older perpetrator held a firearms licence in categories A and B, permitting the possession of certain long-barreled weapons. In New South Wales, categories A and B refer to various types of long-barreled firearms, including typical hunting weapons such as certain shotguns and repeating rifles. This classification is significant precisely because it demonstrates: we are not talking about an 'exotic' fringe phenomenon, but about a normalised hunting logic that makes gun ownership appear as an everyday right.

Reference is also made to the hunting licence: on the Service NSW website, 'recreation or personal consumption' is listed as a permissible reason for hunting — that is, leisure or self-sufficiency. This is not a minor footnote. It is a political statement. It means: a state can legitimise the private possession of lethal weapons on the grounds that someone wishes to kill animals 'in their leisure time'.

Police report that during the incident a 50-year-old man died at the scene after being shot by officers. According to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, the father, Sajid Akram, had held a firearms licence for ten years. He possessed six weapons registered in his name. According to Lanyon, six firearms were seized at the scene.

The other shooter — a 24-year-old man — suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital under police escort, New South Wales Police added.

Note: This text will be updated as soon as police or courts publish new, confirmed information.