A story of extraordinary courage has emerged from the horrific terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, as a bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen is being universally hailed as a hero.
The man has been identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two who owns and operates a fruit shop in a Sydney suburb. He was reportedly just walking past the beach when the gunmen opened fire on a crowd gathered for a Hanukkah celebration.
The Moment of Heroism
A dramatic video of the incident went viral, capturing the moment Ahmed al Ahmed, unarmed, rushed toward the danger:
- The Takedown: The footage shows Ahmed crouching behind a car before charging at one of the attackers, who was armed with a rifle and firing on civilians. Ahmed tackles the gunman from behind, placing him in a headlock.
- Disarming the Threat: After a violent struggle, Ahmed successfully snatches the long gun from the attacker’s hand.
- The Retreat: Ahmed then briefly points the weapon at the gunman. The attacker, seen in a dark shirt, immediately backs away towards a footbridge where the second shooter was positioned.
- Survival Instinct: Ahmed then carefully places the seized rifle down against a nearby tree and raises his hands, signaling his non-involvement in the attack.
Injured, but a ‘Genuine Hero’
According to his cousin, Mustapha, Ahmed al Ahmed was shot twice—in the arm and hand, or in the leg and shoulder, according to local reports—during the firing, likely by the second gunman positioned on the bridge. He was rushed to the hospital and was scheduled for surgery.
His cousin, Mustapha, told media:
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside. We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent.”
The act of bravery was lauded by Australia’s leadership:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed Ahmed and other quick-acting Australians as “heroes,” saying they “put themselves in danger in order to keep their fellow Australians safe.”
- New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the video “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen” and referred to Ahmed as a “genuine hero.” Minns added: “There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
Family members noted that Ahmed, who owns a fruit business in Sutherland Shire, had no prior experience with firearms and acted purely out of instinct to save the lives of strangers.
Terrorist Attack Investigation
The shooting, which killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more, was quickly declared a “terrorist” attack specifically targeting the Jewish community celebrating the first day of Hanukkah.
Authorities have identified one of the alleged gunmen as Naveed Akram, whose home in Bonnyrigg has been raided. Police confirmed that one suspected gunman was killed at the scene and another was arrested in critical condition, while they continue to investigate the possibility of a third gunman. It is currently unclear which of the two primary attackers was disarmed by Ahmed al Ahmed.