Sydney – A courageous bystander who confronted armed attackers during a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach is now fighting for his life in hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Ahmed Al Ahmed, the man who Sydney shooter disarmed during Sunday’s horrific attack, says he would repeat his heroic actions despite facing the possibility of losing his left arm and enduring excruciating pain from being “riddled with bullets.”
Heroic Confrontation During Terror Attack
The incident that saw the Sydney shooter disarmed by Ahmed began around 6:45 pm on Sunday during a public Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Two gunmen opened fire from a footbridge, targeting the crowd of innocent celebrants below. In a moment of extraordinary courage, Ahmed, a man in his 40s, confronted one of the attackers, wrestled the rifle from his grasp, and ultimately saved numerous lives before being shot twice in the process.
Sam Issa, Ahmed’s migration lawyer who visited him at St George Hospital in Kogarah, confirmed that despite the severe injuries sustained when he Sydney shooter disarmed, Ahmed expressed no regrets about his actions. “He said he’d do it again,” Issa revealed, though he noted that the physical toll has been devastating. “But the pain has started to take a toll on him. He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”
Severe Injuries and Medical Challenges
The hero who Sydney shooter disarmed sustained multiple wounds, primarily concentrated on his left arm, with one bullet lodged in the back of his left shoulder blade that surgeons have yet to remove. Medical professionals have indicated that Ahmed may lose his left arm due to the extensive damage caused by the gunfire, adding a tragic dimension to his selfless act of bravery.
Issa explained the severity of Ahmed’s condition, noting that the injuries were far worse than initially expected. “He’s a lot worse than expected. When you think of a bullet in the arm, you don’t think of serious injuries, but he has lost a lot of blood,” the lawyer stated, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the wounds suffered by the man who Sydney shooter disarmed.
Background and Journey to Citizenship
Ahmed Al Ahmed, the Syrian-born Muslim who Sydney shooter disarmed at Bondi Beach, arrived in Australia in 2006 and was granted citizenship in 2022. His initial citizenship application in 2019 faced rejection due to minor legal charges that were subsequently dropped. This background makes his heroic intervention even more poignant, demonstrating his deep commitment to his adopted homeland.
Following the brave act where he Sydney shooter disarmed, Issa announced plans to advocate for Ahmed’s elderly parents, Fateh and Malaka Al Ahmed, to be granted Australian citizenship as recognition for their son’s extraordinary service. “This is an opportunity for the PM to do something good as a reward for his bravery,” Issa suggested, highlighting the family’s contribution through their son’s selfless actions.
Humble Hero’s Motivation
According to his lawyer, the man who Sydney shooter disarmed feels “indebted” to the Australian community and views his actions as a way of expressing gratitude for being granted citizenship. “Ahmed’s a humble man, he’s not interested in coverage, he just did what he was compelled to do as a human being on that day,” Issa explained.
The hero emphasized his appreciation for Australia, stating through his lawyer: “He gets that gratitude from being in Australia. This is his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship. He has really appreciated this community, and he felt that as a member of the community, he had to act that way and contribute.”
Family’s Perspective
Ahmed’s parents confirmed their son remained in “good spirits” despite the severity of his injuries from when he Sydney shooter disarmed the attacker. His father, Fateh, shared that Ahmed “thanks God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers.” His mother, Malaka, revealed she could not stop crying upon learning her son had saved lives through his brave intervention.
Terrifying Final Words
Ahmed, a father of two daughters aged five and six, had gone to Bondi with his cousin Jozay Alkanj for coffee just minutes before the attack. Alkanj recalled the harrowing moment when Ahmed Sydney shooter disarmed, sharing his cousin’s words: “He said, ‘I’m going to die – please see my family [and tell them] that I went down to save people’s lives’.”
Recognition and Support
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns publicly commended Ahmed’s bravery after he Sydney shooter disarmed the attacker. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $570,000 from more than 5,700 donors, including a $100,000 contribution from US billionaire Bill Ackman, demonstrating widespread appreciation for the hero’s sacrifice.
The man who Sydney shooter disarmed during the Bondi Beach attack represents the highest ideals of courage and community service, risking everything to protect innocent strangers during their moment of greatest vulnerability.
