The hospitalized hero of the Bondi Beach shooting sent a heartbreaking message to his family before tackling one of the gunmen.
On Sunday, December 14, a horrifying shooting unfolded during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, leaving 16 people dead and dozens injured, but one brave shopkeeper’s extraordinary act of courage likely saved countless more.
Ahmed Al Ahmed, 43, was shot five times after he disarmed one of the two gunmen, wrestling the weapon from the attacker in a moment that has captured the attention of the world.
The Syrian-born fruit seller, who became an Australian citizen in 2022, charged toward the shooter after telling his cousin: “I’m going to die, please see my family and tell them that I went down to save people’s lives," per The Sun.
His cousin, Jozay Alkanj, said the pair had just been offered food at the event moments before gunfire erupted.
Hero Took On Shooter With No Firearm Experience
In dramatic, heart-stopping footage that has since been viewed by many, Ahmed is seen creeping behind parked cars along Campbell Parade before taking down one of the gunmen and wrenching the rifle from his hands.
Though he briefly pointed the gun back at the shooter, Ahmed chose not to shoot. Instead, he calmly placed the weapon down.
Moments later, he was shot by the second gunman, who opened fire from a nearby bridge.
Ahmed’s injuries were severe, with bullets tearing through his hand and shoulder. He remains in the hospital, and doctors say he may lose his arm.
“He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he’d do it again, but the pain has started to take a toll on him,” said his lawyer, Sam Issa. “He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”
Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, said: “My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people."
“When he saw people laying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon...I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia," he said.
His mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, added: “I’m proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder."
“He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit," she continued. "We pray that God saves him.”
Terrorists Identified As Father And Son
Authorities identified the attackers as Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed.
Sajid was shot and killed by police at the scene, while Naveed remains in a coma. Police confirmed Naveed may face criminal charges if he recovers, CBS News reported.
Australian officials also revealed that Naveed was briefly investigated by ASIO in 2019 due to his association with a suspected ISIS cell, but no ongoing threat was found.
Investigators recovered six licensed firearms and improvised explosive devices from one of the suspects’ vehicles. Police later confirmed that no other suspects were being sought.
Tributes Pour In and Community Rallies For Ahmed
More than 1,000 people had gathered at the beach when the massacre began. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism,” adding: “Today, all Australians wrap our arms around [the Jewish community] and say, we stand with you.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called Ahmed’s actions “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen,” saying: “That man is a genuine hero.”
A GoFundMe page launched in Ahmed’s honor has surpassed $1 million in donations, including $100,000 from billionaire Bill Ackman.
US President Donald Trump also praised Ahmed’s bravery, saying: “In Australia, a very, very brave person who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives," cited by the Daily Mail.
“'Very brave person who is right now in hospital, pretty seriously wounded. So, great respect to that man that did that," he added.
Bondi residents and visitors have laid flowers at a growing memorial at the beach. A Hanukkah menorah was projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House in tribute.