Australian Man Had Expected To Die Tackling Bondi Beach Shooter

The Australian man widely hailed as a hero for neutralizing one of the attackers in a deadly attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday reportedly said he fully expected to be killed as he tackled the gunman from behind and said he would do it again to save people’s lives.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a father of two and store owner from Sutherland, was meeting his cousin for coffee in Bondi that day when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah event at the famous beach. His cousin Jozay Alkanj, told local outlets He said the two hid behind cars when they saw “people shooting very close to us.”

“He said, ‘I’m going to die, please see my family.’ [and tell them] Alkanj said of his cousin, who then sneaked up behind one of the gunmen and subdued him: As the gunman rushed to run to the other suspect, Al-Ahmed pointed his rifle at the shooter, prompting the bystander to drop his rifle on the ground before being shot twice in the arm.

El Ahmed’s lawyer, Sam Issa, said: “He does not regret what he did. He said he would do it again. But the pain started to affect him.” he told the Sydney Morning Herald Currently in St. His client is being treated at George Hospital. Issa described al-Ahmad as “riddled with bullets” and fears the 43-year-old will lose his arm.

Footage of Al Ahmed’s bravery quickly went viral. sparking a global outpouring of support This includes crowdfunding his treatment and praise from leaders. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns posted a photo on social media of him speaking to Al Ahmed while sitting on the edge of his hospital bed.

“Ahmed is a real-life hero. Last night, his incredible courage undoubtedly saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at great personal risk,” Minns said. wrote to x. “It was an honor to spend time with him at this time and convey his thanks to the people of NSW.”

One of the bystander’s cousins, Mustafa al-Asaad, said al-Ahmad told him that God had given him “strength that he had never given me before” as he struggled with the gunman and risked his life. Both Jewish and Muslim rights groups have since praised Al Ahmed, who gained Australian citizenship in 2022 after escaping the civil war in Syria.

“When he did what he did, he wasn’t thinking about the past of the people he was saving, the people dying in the street,” Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed, the bystander’s father, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “It doesn’t discriminate from one nationality to another. Especially here in Australia, there is no difference between one national and another.”

Authorities said at least 16 people were killed in the shooting on Sunday. whose age range Police said they killed the gunman, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, at the scene and tracked down the second suspect, his son Naveed Akram, 24, as he was treated for critical injuries in hospital.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of al-Ahmad at a press conference: “Today we saw Australians running towards danger to help others.” “These Australians are heroes and their bravery saved lives.”