Bystander Who Tackled Armed Man At Bondi Beach Shooting Hailed As Hero
SYDNEY, Dec 14 (Reuters) – A man who tackled and disarmed a gunman during a deadly attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday was hailed as a hero whose actions saved lives.
In the footage circulating on social media, a man identified in local media as 43-year-old grocery owner Ahmed al-Ahmad is seen attacking a man in a dark shirt, wearing a white shirt and holding a rifle, in the parking lot.
He then attacks the gunman from behind, grabs the gun from him with his hands, and then points the gun at the man.
In the video, it is seen that the man in the dark shirt retreats towards the bridge where another shooter is located, while the person there puts the gun on the ground.
Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, hailed the audience member as a “true hero” and said the video was “the most incredible scene I’ve ever seen”.
“There are so many people alive tonight because of his courage,” Minns added.
Following the armed attack on the beach on the occasion of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, one of the armed suspects was killed and the other is in critical condition. Police said they were investigating whether a third gunman was involved.
Reuters verified the video from verified footage showing the same men.
Reuters also confirmed that the gunmen in the video were the same men seen surrounded by police in the images, confirmed by their clothing.
The identity of the eyewitness could not immediately be confirmed by Reuters. Local media outlet Seven News identified him and said he was taken to hospital after suffering two gunshot wounds.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the actions of Australians who “ran into danger to help others”.
“These Australians are heroes and their bravery saved lives,” he told a news conference.
Others took to social media to express their admiration.
“Most people run away from danger, but this man in the Bondi Beach massacre was not one of those people,” said one person on platform X.
Another said: “This Australian man saved countless lives by disarming one of the terrorists on Bondi beach. A HERO.”
(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Additional reporting by Alasdair Pal, Sophie Royle and Aaron McNicholas. Editing by Christina Fincher)
