The hero shop owner who disarmed one of the Bondi gunmen by throwing himself at the heavily armed man faces a months-long recovery after being shot twice during the massacre on Australia’s most famous beach.
Ahmed Al Ahmed, the 43-year-old father who bystanders say likely saved many lives when he ripped a gun out of the hands of one of the attackers, underwent surgery in hospital on Monday.
He’s in pain but accompanied by his family who are equal parts worried and proud of his heroism, according to Lubaba Alhmidi Alkahil, who took flowers and food to his hospital room.
“I think at least he needs six months to recover… it’s badly damaged,” the media director for the Australians for Syria Association told AAP.
“He has two daughters, little kids,” she said.
“When he threw himself on that bad guy… he was just thinking how to save these people.”
Mr Al Ahmed’s cousin Mustafa Al-Asaad said the bystander-turned-hero was shot in his left shoulder and hand.
He recounted his relative, an Australian citizen originally from Syria, telling him that “God granted me courage to jump on the gunman”.
“He wasn’t thinking of death when he saw bullets flying in the air,” Mr Al Asaad told BBC Arabic overnight.
An online fundraiser to recognise the small business owner for his bravery had raised more than $1.8 million by Tuesday morning.
At the same time, a group of surf lifesavers celebrating at their Christmas parties opened up their doors and first aid kits to help those caught in the crossfire.
Members of Bondi and North Bondi were in their clubhouses when the gunfire erupted outside.
Multiple volunteers ran out under fire to perform CPR and provide first aid, Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said.
“Surf Life Saving is a frontline emergency service and that was never more important than last night,” he told AAP.
“There is not a bandage or a Band-Aid left in any of the surf clubs, all the boards were used as stretchers.”
The North Bondi clubhouse had about 200 people sheltering inside and receiving medical attention while the police operation continued, president Steven Lanarch said.
At least 15 innocent people died and many more were left injured after the gunmen took aim at a crowd gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at the beach just before 7pm on 14 December.
One of the men, Naveed Akram, 24, is in police custody while the other, his 50-year-old father Sajid, was killed.
Multiple videos posted to social media showed the duo standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion and firing shots into a crowd.
Footage shows Mr Al Ahmed crouching behind a vehicle in the nearby car park, before sneaking up behind a gunman and wrestling the weapon from his grip.
The altercation sent the shooter staggering to the ground, before he got up and walked towards the pedestrian bridge from which the other gunman continued to fire.
Leaders hailed the heroes who ran toward danger to stop the attack or help the injured.
“To the brave first responders, including ordinary citizens who acted yesterday – thank you for what you do,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“People rushing towards danger to show the best of the Australian character.”
If this story raises any concerns, contact:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- beyondblue 1300 22 4636
For more news stories:
- ‘Never going to see them again’… Newcastle Rabbi mourns friends killed in Bondi attack
- Woman found dead in car following crash at Port Stephens
- Mass shooting targeted Jewish community as death toll mounts to 16
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