Mother of Bondi Beach Suspect Insists Son Is ‘a Good Boy’ as Terror Investigation Continues

The mother of one of the men accused of carrying out the Bondi Beach terror attack has spoken publicly for the first time, insisting her son is “a good boy” and rejecting claims he was capable of violence or extremist activity, as police investigations intensify and Australia continues to grapple with the aftermath of the shocking incident.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, have been identified by Australian authorities as the two alleged gunmen behind the attack on a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach in Sydney. The incident, which unfolded in a public space during a religious gathering, has sparked widespread fear, condemnation, and renewed debate about extremism and public safety.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald while police surrounded the family’s home in Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s southwest, Akram’s mother, Verena, expressed disbelief that her son could be involved in such an act.

“Anyone would wish to have a son like my son,” she said. “He’s a good boy.”

Verena said her son had last spoken to the family on Sunday morning, December 14, just hours before the shooting occurred. During that conversation, she said, there was nothing unusual in his tone or behaviour to suggest anything was wrong.

According to Verena, Naveed told her he was in Jervis Bay with his father on what the pair described as a fishing trip. She recounted the details of the conversation, saying her son spoke casually about swimming, scuba diving, and plans to eat before returning home.

“He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, ‘Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. We’re going to eat now, and then this morning, and we’re going to stay home now because it’s very hot,’” she said.

Verena said the call was brief but normal, and she had no reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary. She said she later learned of the attack through media reports, a moment she described as devastating and incomprehensible.

“I just don’t believe it,” she said. “I don’t believe my son could do something like this.”

Police allege that Naveed and Sajid Akram were responsible for the attack near Bondi Beach, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration attended by families and members of Sydney’s Jewish community. Authorities have described the incident as an act of terror and are continuing to investigate possible motives, including whether the alleged attackers were influenced by extremist ideology.

Verena firmly rejected suggestions that her son held radical views or had been involved in extremist activity. She said Naveed was not politically extreme, was not deeply religious, and had never expressed hatred toward any group.

“He never talked about politics, never talked about religion like that,” she said. “There was no anger. There was no violence.”

Neighbours in Bonnyrigg also expressed shock as police cordoned off the street and conducted searches of the family home. Several described the Akram family as quiet and largely private, with no obvious signs of trouble.

“I’ve seen them around for years,” one neighbour said. “They kept to themselves. This is just unbelievable.”

Authorities, however, have urged the public not to speculate while investigations remain ongoing. Police and counterterrorism units are examining travel records, digital communications, and financial transactions to determine whether the alleged gunmen had external links or acted alone.

The attack has deeply shaken Sydney’s Jewish community, with leaders calling for unity and calm while demanding justice for those affected. Increased police patrols have been deployed around religious institutions and public events across New South Wales as a precaution.

Prime Minister and state leaders have condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as an assault on Australia’s values of multiculturalism and peaceful coexistence.

As investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, the contrast between the allegations and a mother’s portrait of her son underscores the human complexity that often emerges in the aftermath of violence. For Verena, the disbelief remains overwhelming.

“I know my son,” she said quietly. “And I just can’t accept this.”

Police say further details will be released as the investigation progresses. For now, a nation mourns, a community remains on edge, and a family waits for answers amid an unfolding tragedy.