Police swarm Sydney home believed to be linked to alleged Bondi Beach shooter

Police have raided a property in Sydney’s south west believed to be linked to one of the alleged gunmen after at least 12 people were killed in the terror attack

Police have descended on a residence in Sydney’s south west thought to be connected to one of the gunmen behind the fatal Bondi Beach shooting.

Naveed Akram has been identified as one of two suspected attackers who unleashed gunfire at a Jewish Chanukah gathering just before 7pm on Sunday. The assault claimed at least 12 lives, with authorities officially categorising it as a terrorist act.

Law enforcement are presently searching a Bonnyrigg property believed to belong to Akram, with the entire street sealed off and designated as an active crime scene. Officers have positioned themselves at either end of the road, barring locals and drivers from accessing the vicinity, according to ABC News.

One suspected gunman was fatally shot at Bondi Beach during the incident, whilst the other, thought to be Akram, was wounded and remains under police guard in critical condition.

Crowds of onlookers assembled in the street as news of the operation circulated, trying to get nearer to the residence. A police officer cautioned reporters who approached: “It’s not safe, you need to go back.”, reports the Mirror.

The suspected shooter’s relatives are understood to have purchased the Bonnyrigg property approximately a year ago. Multiple locals prevented from accessing their properties were overheard appealing to officers for passage, but were consistently instructed to retreat.

“There are people absolutely everywhere,” remarked one neighbourhood resident. The crowd of spectators kept swelling as the evening wore on after the address was shared across social media platforms.

Around 10pm, police were still directing vehicles away from the scene, informing motorists that the area remained an active crime scene.

A helicopter was also visible and audible as it circled above the neighbourhood.

Bonnyrigg lies at the centre of Sydney’s diverse south west, where houses along the street were adorned with twinkling Christmas decorations, creating a sharp juxtaposition with the substantial police operation.

Tempers momentarily escalated when several blokes told to vacate the area became hostile, with one threatening to “break the handcuffs” of a female police officer.

Residents gathered on their front gardens, observing as officers redirected traffic from the normally bustling road.

A local resident said he had been oblivious to the incident until police stopped him and became visibly upset when informed of the death toll.

“Oh my God, I just can’t believe it. And he lives here?” he said, pointing towards the sealed-off street. I live around the corner.

It’s a nice area,” he added. “They reckon it’s the Bondi shooter so I get it, but I’m just trying to get home,” the man said.