Sydney authorities are praising a local man for his courage after he disarmed a gunman during the deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner and Muslim of Syrian origin, tackled one of the alleged attackers, seizing the weapon and preventing further casualties.
Footage circulated on social media shows al-Ahmed crouching behind a car before leaping on the shooter and wrestling the gun from his hands. The assailant then retreated as gunfire continued nearby. Officials have classified the incident as a terrorist attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration, carried out by a father and son duo, which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more.
Al-Ahmed was shot multiple times in the shoulder during the confrontation and remains hospitalized at St George’s Hospital in Sydney. His family confirmed he had undergone his first surgery, with additional operations expected. Speaking to Australian media, his father, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed, remarked, “My son is a hero of Australia. He served with the police and has the impulse to protect people.” His cousin Mustafa al-Asaad added that Ahmed “couldn’t bear to see people dying” and was proud to have saved lives.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted al-Ahmed’s bravery, pointing out that he “took the gun off that perpetrator at great risk to himself.” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the actions, remarking that “more lives would have been lost if not for [al-Ahmed’s] selfless courage.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also recognized his actions, stating, “We saw an action of a brave man — turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him — that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews.”
Public support for al-Ahmed has been overwhelming. A GoFundMe page set up for his recovery raised more than 1.5 million Australian dollars (around $1 million) within days, with donations coming from individuals worldwide, including high-profile contributors.
