A student who shares the same name as one of the Bondi Beach terror attack suspected gunmen has taken to social media stating people have wrongly identified him
A man wrongly identified as one of the Bondi Beach terror attackers shared on social media he fears for his life. Naveed Akram, a student in Sydney, shares the same name with the 24-year-old man who allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah event in Australia on Sunday.
The suspected attacker and his father Sajid Akram, 50, – who was shot dead by police – allegedly killed 16 people and hospitalised another 27 in the Sunday shooting. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shootings.
Naveed Akram whose identity has been mistaken for the alleged shooter who was wounded by officers has taken to social media to make a plea online feeling his life could be placed at risk due to the incident. Naveed added some accounts on social media had taken pictures of him posted on his social media and re-posted them with the belief that Naveed was the alleged shooter.
Naveed Akram said: “One of the shooter’s name is Naveed Akram and my name is Naveed Akram as well. Some of the social media accounts they have taken my picturefrom my Facebook account and they are linking that picture to that that shooter.
“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. That is a different person and I am completely outside of this matter.”
Naveed added the incident had made him “very stressed and scared” and that the situation was “putting my life at risk” due to personal information about him circulating on the internet.
The shooting left at least 16 people dead including one of the gunmen and some 40 others were wounded when the shooters opened fire at Bondi Beach. There are victims who have not been named but police have said they believe they all range from 10 to 87 years old.
The youngest victim of the shooting is believed to be a 10-year-old Matilda Poltavchenko. A British Rabbi named Eli Schlanger, 41, is also amongst those killed. The father-of-five who helped organise the Hanukkah event on Sunday has been praised by his family as an “incredible guy” as they mourn his loss.
During the horrific shooting incredible heroism was on display as fruit seller Ahmed Al Ahmed risked his life to save others during the attack. Footage showed the moment the 43-year-old took cover behind a car as the shooter continued to open fire.
Ahmed then charged the gunman and wrestled the firearm from him and pointed it at the shooter. The cowardly shooter was then forced to retreat. Ahmed was widely praised for saving lives.