The man celebrated globally for his heroic actions during the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack has been readmitted to hospital as he continues his difficult recovery. Ahmed al Ahmed, who was shot multiple times while tackling and disarming one of the alleged gunmen, returned for medical care this week.
A Courageous Intervention and Severe Injuries
On December 14, chaos erupted at the Chanukah by the Sea event in Sydney when a gunman opened fire on the crowd. Ahmed al Ahmed, a local shop owner and father of two, saw the danger and ran towards it. From behind a car, he pounced on the attacker, later identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and wrestled the firearm from him.
During this brave intervention, al Ahmed was shot several times in the chest, shoulder, and arm by a second man, alleged by police to be Akram's 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. The attack claimed the lives of fifteen people, aged between 10 and 87, marking it as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996.
An Uncertain Road to Recovery
After being discharged from St George Hospital over the weekend, al Ahmed had been recuperating with his family in a luxury suite at Sydney's Crown Towers, arranged by the hotel and media outlets. However, his recovery journey hit a bump, necessitating a return to hospital on Tuesday.
"He needed to have a check up on his condition and to have his bandages changed," his lawyer, Sam Issa, explained to The Australian. Issa clarified that while his client's health is not under threat, the injuries are severe. Doctors have warned al Ahmed that he may never fully recover, citing significant nerve damage in his left hand.
Issa noted that al Ahmed had left the hospital earlier than doctors recommended, driven by a strong desire to be with his family after two weeks of treatment. The need for additional pain medication was also a factor in postponing a planned interview with Sky News Australia.
The Mindset of a Hero
In his first international television interview with CBS News this week, al Ahmed downplayed his extraordinary bravery. He revealed that in the critical moment, his sole focus was preventing further loss of life.
"I didn't worry about anything," al Ahmed stated. "I was just, my target was just to take the gun from him and to stop him from killing a human being." His selfless actions have drawn widespread praise, including a hospital visit from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his initial stay.
As of Tuesday morning, NSW Health authorities reported three victims from the shooting remain in a critical condition in hospital. Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding police officers at the scene. His son, Naveed Akram, now faces 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder, as the community and the nation continue to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy.
