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Australian authorities have filed criminal charges against the terrorist who carried out a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead and dozens more injured.

Getting into it: The charges, which include 59 separate offences, accuse 24-year-old Naveed Akram of committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, displaying symbols of a prohibited terrorist organisation, and placing explosives with intent to cause harm. Prosecutors say the offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

More details on the attack: According to investigators, the attack unfolded shortly after 6:40 pm on Sunday when Akram and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, opened fire with long-arm firearms on a Jewish community gathering celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. Police say Sajid Akram, who legally owned six firearms under a recreational hunting licence, was shot dead by officers at the scene, while his son was injured and later emerged from a coma. Fifteen people were killed, with police saying the victims’ ages range from 10 to 87, including a child and elderly members of the community. Dozens more were wounded, including four children and two police officers.

Police say the attack was intended “to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” with early indications pointing to inspiration from Islamic State. Investigators say ISIS imagery, flags, and explosive devices were located in connection with the attackers, and intelligence groups have since reported that ISIS has referenced and exploited the Bondi Beach massacre in propaganda distributed online.

In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “This was ISIS-inspired extremist ideology leading to a terrorist act that has resulted in tragic consequences for the Jewish community in Sydney with an attack taking place at an iconic destination.” He added that the act was “pure evil,” driven by antisemitism, and said the government had made confronting extremist ideology and protecting communities “front and center.”

This all comes as authorities are also examining the pair’s recent overseas travel, including a trip to the southern Philippines in November, a region with a history of Islamist insurgency. Philippine officials have denied any evidence that the attackers received training there.