Bondi Beach shooting: A Sydney-based man has spoken of fear, trauma, and sleepless nights after being wrongly identified on social media as one of the attackers involved in the deadly Bondi Beach terror shooting, highlighting the dangerous consequences of online misinformation following major incidents.
“I Could Not Sleep,” Says Misidentified Man
The man, 30-year-old Naveed Akram, who lives in Sydney’s northwestern suburbs, said his photograph was widely circulated online after early reports named a suspect with the same name following the Bondi Beach shooting that killed at least 15 people during a Jewish community gathering.
Images taken from his personal Facebook profile, including one showing him wearing a Pakistan cricket jersey, were shared thousands of times across platforms, drawing abusive and threatening comments. Akram said he had no connection whatsoever to the attackers.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Akram said he first became aware of the false identification late on Sunday night. “I could not even sleep,” he said, adding that he deleted numerous threatening messages out of fear. “I’m terrified. I could not go outside. It’s a life-threatening issue. My family is worried as well,” he said, describing the emotional toll the misinformation has taken on him and his relatives.
Originally from Pakistan, Akram moved to Australia in 2018 to study at Central Queensland University and later completed a master’s degree at Sydney’s Holmes Institute. He currently runs a car rental business and described Australia as “the perfect country,” saying he had never felt unsafe before the incident. “It’s only this incident that has caused me this trauma,” he said.
Appeal Issued Through Pakistan Consulate
Akram later released a video message through the Pakistan Consulate in Sydney, urging people to stop sharing his image. “Per media reports, one of the shooters’ names is Naveed Akram, and my name is Naveed Akram as well. That is not me,” he said, condemning the Bondi Beach attack as “terrible.” He said relatives in Pakistan’s Punjab province were also receiving alarming phone calls, prompting them to contact local authorities there.
Australian authorities have since confirmed that the Bondi Beach shooting was carried out by a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son. The father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the younger suspect remains hospitalised under police guard. Officials have stressed that no other attackers were involved.
Police and intelligence agencies continue to investigate possible extremist and antisemitic motives behind the attack, which took place during Hanukkah celebrations, one of the Jewish community’s most significant events.
Officials and community leaders have urged the public to rely only on verified information and to avoid spreading unconfirmed identities, warning that reckless speculation can cause serious harm to innocent people.