Australian ‘hero’ who disarmed Bondi beach shooter recovering after surgery for bullet wounds

In the aftermath of Sunday’s mass shooting at a crowded Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, one name has stood out, not for tragedy, but for courage.

Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit and vegetable seller from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, is now recovering in hospital after being shot while disraming one of the gunmen. His family told Reuters that he underwent surgery for wounds to his arm and hand and is stable, though still facing more procedures.

“He is a hero, he is a hundred percent hero,” his cousin Mustafa told Australian media. “Still he is in the hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside … but we hope he will be fine,” he said.

The scene unfolded on Sunday afternoon near Bondi Beach, where crowds had gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah. Police later revealed a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son were responsible for the attack, which has become Australia’s deadliest in almost three decades.

Caught in the chaos, Ahmed did something most people say saved lives. Video shared on social media shows him crouched behind parked cars before he suddenly charged at a gunman from behind, seized a rifle, and knocked the attacker to the ground.

Watch the video here:

Bystanders rushed to Ahmed’s aid as he was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the hand. He was rushed to St. George Hospital in Sydney and was later taken into surgery.

Across Australia and beyond, leaders have praised his bravery. US President Donald Trump called Ahmed “a very, very brave person” who saved many lives, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described what happened as “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen.”

Support has also come in monetarily. A fundraising campaign launched to aid his recovery has raised more than A$200,000 ($133,000) in just a few hours, with billionaire Bill Ackman among the contributors.

Will grief force Australia to tighten gun laws again?

Australia’s leaders have agreed to tighten gun laws after a mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach killed 15 people, the deadliest such attack in decades. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met state and territory leaders on Monday, with his office saying they agreed “to strengthen gun laws across the nation”.

The government is now considering tougher background checks, limits on firearm access and stricter licensing rules. As mourners gathered at Bondi to mark Hanukkah, a rabbi told the crowd: “The only strength we have is if we bring light into the world.”