A man has spoken out after being wrongly identified on social media as one of the alleged perpetrators of the Bondi Beach attack, saying his life has been “put at risk” as a result of the misinformation.

The attack occurred shortly before 7pm on Sunday during a Jewish Hanukkah event, when a 24-year-old man and his 50-year-old father allegedly opened fire. 

The older man was shot dead by police at the scene, while the younger man was shot and taken into custody in a critical condition.

By Monday morning, the death toll had risen to 16. 

Among those who died were a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man, both of whom succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

A man who shares the same name as the 24-year-old alleged attacker has since issued a public plea after his photos were widely circulated online, with social media users falsely claiming he was responsible for the shooting.

In a video shared to X, the man – who describes himself as a student and digital creator on his social media accounts – condemned both the attack and the misinformation being spread.

“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 pictures from my Facebook account and they are linking that picture to that that shooter,” he said.

“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.”

He said the situation has left him “very stressed and scared”, adding that he “cannot even go outside safely” due to fears for his life.

He also urged people who come across posts using his image to report the accounts involved, saying he is “in trauma” over what has occurred.

“(It) is putting my life at risk,” he said.

In a separate post shared on Facebook, he reiterated that he is “completely innocent” and has no connection to the attack.

“Someone is falsely using my picture, which is putting my safety, reputation, and wellbeing at risk,” he said.

Images: Facebook / X (Formerly Twitter)