- - Bondi Beach hero: I just wanted to stop the killing

Lily ShanagherDecember 29, 2025 at 9:19 AM

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Ahmed al-Ahmed relives his act of heroism in an interview, revealing he just wanted to protect ‘innocent people’

The hero who disarmed one of the terrorists at Bondi Beach has recalled the moment he risked his life to tackle the gunman.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian shop owner living in Sydney, said he ran towards Sajid Akram, 50, and wrestled the rifle from his hands because he wanted to protect “innocent people”.

Mr Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, was shot multiple times in the shoulder after the tussle and underwent several rounds of surgery to save his arm.

Fifteen people were killed and 40 injured when Sajid, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, opened fire on people celebrating Hanukkah in an anti-Semitic terrorist attack at the famous beach.

Tales of heroism have since emerged of those who tried to stop the two gunmen during their deadly rampage.

Mr Ahmed, who was at the beach getting a cup of coffee when the shooting started, told CBS News he felt a “power” compelling him to act.

He recalled the moment he jumped on the gunman’s back, holding him with his right hand and said: “Drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing.”

He added: “My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people.

“I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to see blood, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help.”

During his time in hospital after the attack, Mr Ahmed was identified and a GoFundMe was started that raised A$2.5m (£1.24m) for him.

Ahmed al-Ahmed is given a cheque in hospital for A$2.5m (£1.24m)

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese also visited him in hospital and hailed him “the best of our country”.

Mr Ahmed is now staying at a luxury hotel with his family while he recovers from his injuries.

He was spotted on the balcony of a penthouse suite still wearing an arm sling, the Daily Mail reported.

The Australian government has since fast-tracked and granted a number of visas for Mr Ahmed’s family, local media reported.

In his interview, Mr Ahmed added that he felt sorry for those who died in the attack. He said: “I know I saved lots of people’s lives, innocent kids and women and men. But I feel sorry still for the lost.”

Another hero, an Israeli man who tried to help Mr Ahmed disarm the terrorist before also being shot is in a coma, his family said. Gefen Bitton, 30, remains in a critical condition in intensive care after undergoing surgery.

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On Monday, families of the dead and wounded released an open letter to Mr Albanese calling for a federal inquiry into a rise in anti-Semitism and security failures behind the shooting.

Mr Albanese responded by saying it would take years to provide answers. Instead, he announced the terms of an inquiry by retired bureaucrat Dennis Richardson that will report in April next year.

He added that federal authorities would support a royal commission promised by the New South Wales state government.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”