A fruit shop owner and father of two has emerged as an unlikely symbol of courage after confronting an armed attacker during the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack, an act authorities say saved lives.
The man, now identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, was filmed sprinting from cover and wrestling a gun from one of the attackers as shots rang out near a crowded Hanukkah celebration on Sunday night.
Verified footage shows Mr Ahmed charging the gunman, seizing his weapon and forcing him to retreat – a split-second decision that would later be hailed as heroic by leaders at the highest level of government.
Mr Ahmed remains in hospital recovering from gunshot wounds to his arm and hand, injuries that required surgery. His family told reporters that he is in stable condition.
“Still he is in hospital and we don’t know exactly what is going on, the doctor says he is OK,” his cousin Mustafa said. “We hope he is OK, he is a hero, 100% he is a hero. He has two shots, one in his arm and one in his hand, he has had to have an operation.”
Sixteen people were killed in the attack, which police have since declared a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community. More than 1,000 people had gathered for the event when gunfire erupted.
Investigators believe two gunmen were involved. One was shot dead by police, while a second remains in critical condition. Authorities are examining whether others played a role.
The widely shared video of Mr Ahmed’s actions captures the chaos of the moment. One gunman is seen firing from behind a palm tree near a pedestrian bridge. Mr Ahmed, previously hiding behind a parked car, suddenly runs forward, tackles the attacker and wrestles the gun from his hands.
After forcing the gunman to the ground and turning the weapon back on him, Mr Ahmed backs away. He then lowers the gun and raises one hand in the air, apparently to show police he was not one of the attackers. Nearby, a second gunman continues firing, underscoring the danger Mr Ahmed placed himself in without hesitation.
At a late-night news conference, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns paid tribute to the man whose name was still unknown at the time.
“That man is a genuine hero, and I’ve got no doubt there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the sentiment, saying the nation had witnessed extraordinary selflessness in the face of terror.
“We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others,” he said. “These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.”
As the country mourns the victims of a devastating attack, Ahmed al Ahmed’s actions stand as a powerful reminder that even in moments of profound darkness, courage from ordinary people can change the course of events and save others.
Images: X (Formerly Twitter)
