Bondi Beach attack ‘hero’ Ahmed Al Ahmed speaks out in 1st interview
Global News
Ahmed Al Ahmed jeopardized his life when he tackled one of two alleged shooters to the ground and seized his gun during Sunday’s attack on a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach.
The man who wrestled a weapon away from a suspected gunman during the antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on Sunday has been identified as Ahmed Al Ahmed, and is being hailed a hero by Australian leaders and many others across the world.
Viral footage of the confrontation shows Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian and 43-year-old father of two girls, crouching behind a car before running towards a suspected gunman and grappling with him as gunshots rang out and sirens wailed in the background.
After a short tussle, Ahmed managed to take the weapon from the suspect’s hands and turned the gun on him, forcing the attacker to retreat.
Ahmed was later shot several times by a second perpetrator and is recovering from surgery in a Sydney hospital, Reuters reported on Monday.
As of Monday afternoon, a fundraising campaign for Al Ahmed has raised over AUS$1.7 million (CAD 1.55 million) via 30,000 contributions from around the world. Billionaire businessman Bill Ackman donated $99,999, according to the GoFundMe page.
“This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most,” the page, created by Car Hub Australia and YouTuber Zachery Dereniowski, says.
Ahmed, who emigrated from Syria to Australia in 2006, according to the New York Times, was praised by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said Ahmed’s bravery saved lives.
“What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw an example of the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger, putting his own life at risk,” Albanese told state broadcaster ABC News.
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