The hero of the deadly Bondi Beach attack, who was shot twice while bravely attempting to disarm one of the gunmen, has now been identified by his family as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit seller, husband, and father of two. His courageous actions during the chaos are being credited with saving countless lives.
Ahmed al Ahmed, who has no prior experience with firearms and is a practising Muslim, was simply passing by Bondi Beach when he suddenly heard the sound of gunfire erupting near the shoreline. Without hesitation, and despite the immense danger, he rushed toward the scene as people around him fled in terror.
Witnesses and authorities say that Mr al Ahmed managed to sneak up on one of the attackers during the unfolding massacre. In a moment of extraordinary bravery, he wrestled the gunman to the ground and successfully disarmed him. After gaining control of the weapon, Ahmed pointed it back at the attacker, forcing the gunman to retreat and preventing further immediate harm to the crowd.
However, during this heroic act, Ahmed was shot twice by the second suspect involved in the attack. He sustained gunshot wounds to his arm and hand but continued to remain conscious after the incident.
Speaking to 7News, Ahmed’s cousin Mustafa described the family’s concern and pride.
“He’s currently in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” Mustafa said. “We truly hope he will be fine. He is a hero, 100 percent. He was shot once in the arm and again in the hand. I’m still waiting to see him.”
Video footage recorded shortly after the attack shows Ahmed receiving first aid at the scene. Despite his injuries, he appears coherent and alert, calmly speaking to emergency responders as they tend to his wounds. His composure and resilience in the aftermath further highlighted the remarkable nature of his actions.
New South Wales Premier Christopher John Minns praised Ahmed’s bravery during a press conference, describing the incident as “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen.”
“That man is a genuine hero,” Minns said. “I have no doubt that many, many people are alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
He continued, emphasizing the danger involved: “A man walking up to a gunman who had already fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless others — that is extraordinary courage.”
The attack itself has been described as a horrific act of terror. Among the twelve people killed in what is now being referred to as the Bondi terror massacre were Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman. At least 29 others were taken to hospital with injuries of varying severity. Authorities believe that one of the victims was an Israeli citizen, and children were among those injured.
The shooting took place during a Jewish Chanukah celebration known as “Chanukah by the Sea,” organized by Chabad. The event marked the beginning of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Light, a time traditionally associated with joy, faith, and community.
As gunshots rang out, thousands of beachgoers were seen running for their lives, many still dressed in swimwear or wrapped in towels, desperately trying to escape the danger. One of the victims was a rabbi who had been leading a family-focused event on the beach at the time of the attack.
One of the gunmen was killed during the incident, while another remains in police custody. Two police officers were also injured as they responded to the unfolding crisis.
Authorities quickly urged members of the public to take cover and avoid the area while emergency services worked to secure the scene. Bondi Beach, a popular destination for tourists and expatriates alike, was placed under lockdown as police managed the situation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack in a press conference, describing it as “an act of evil, antisemitism, and terrorism.”
“This was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should have been a day of joy and celebration of faith,” he said.
“There is no place for this hate, violence, or terrorism in our nation. We will eradicate it.”
The Prime Minister also spoke of unity during the dark moment, saying that out of such hatred would emerge a moment of national solidarity, where Australians of all backgrounds would stand with the Jewish community. He confirmed that police and security agencies are continuing investigations to identify anyone connected to the attack.
International condemnation followed swiftly. The Board of Deputies of British Jews released a statement expressing devastation at the reports of the shooting and offered solidarity and support to Australian Jewish organizations. They confirmed they were in contact with both their Australian counterparts and the UK Government, which is closely monitoring the situation.
New South Wales Police confirmed that emergency services were called to Campbell Parade at approximately 6:45 pm local time on Sunday, December 14, following reports of shots being fired. Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, along with multiple specialist units, attended the scene. Suspicious items found in the area are being examined, an exclusion zone remains in place, and a multi-agency response is ongoing. Police have stated that no other related incidents have been reported elsewhere in Sydney.