The owner of a local shop, Ahmed al Ahmed, has revealed he "didn't worry about anything" during the terrifying moments he bravely confronted and disarmed one of the gunmen in the Bondi Beach terror attack earlier this month.
A Hero's Instinct During Chaos
The antisemitic attack targeted a Jewish Hannukah celebration at the famous Sydney beach on December 14, resulting in Australia's deadliest mass shooting since the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996. Fifteen people, aged between 10 and 87, were killed, with dozens more injured.
In an interview with CBS, al Ahmed described his immediate reaction to the sounds of gunfire and screams. "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," the 43-year-old father said. He was filmed emerging from behind a parked car to wrestle the firearm from 50-year-old Sajid Akram, one of the accused shooters.
"I jumped in (the suspected shooter’s) back, hit him, and hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, to warn him, ‘drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing’," al Ahmed recounted. "I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help, and that’s my soul asking me to do that."
Recovery and Recognition
During his courageous intervention, al Ahmed was shot several times by the second gunman, who police allege was Akram's 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Despite his injuries, al Ahmed has since been discharged from a Sydney hospital.
His selfless actions have drawn global praise and significant financial support. An online fundraiser for the hero saw donations pour in, resulting in him being presented with a cheque for $2.5 million.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited al Ahmed in hospital and has since written to the Governor-General requesting the creation of a Special Honours List to recognise the bravery of first responders and civilians who intervened. "People ran towards danger. They put themselves at risk to help others not because they had to, but because it was the right thing to do," Albanese said last week.
Legal Proceedings and National Response
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. His son, Naveed Akram, now faces 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and a single count of committing a terrorist act.
While there have been calls for a royal commission into the attack, Prime Minister Albanese has opted for a review and report, which is expected to be finalised by the end of April.
Reflecting on the tragedy, al Ahmed expressed a mix of relief and sorrow. "I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost," he said, embodying the profound impact of the Bondi Beach massacre on the Australian community.
