As gunfire erupted at a Jewish religious gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, a bystander ran from behind parked cars, overpowered one of the attackers and tore the gun from his hands.
The man was Ahmed Al Ahmed—and his family says the split-second response that saved lives was shaped by his past as a police officer in Syria.
Coffee outing turns into terror
Ahmed Al Ahmed had gone to Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to meet a friend for coffee when two gunmen—Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram—opened fire at a Jewish gathering marking the first day of Hanukkah. As people fled, Ahmed took cover between parked cars. Moments later, he rushed one of the attackers from behind. In footage that has since gone viral, he is seen wrestling the gunman to the ground, disarming him and turning the weapon away.
Seconds later, Ahmed was shot multiple times by the second gunman, who fired from a footbridge. He suffered up to five gunshot wounds and remains hospitalised.
‘He didn’t hesitate’
Family members said Ahmed’s actions reflected his training and experience. He previously served as a police officer and member of Syria’s central security forces before leaving the country in 2006, years before the civil war began. “He did not hesitate. He tackled the attacker to save innocent people,” a relative said.
His father, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed, told Australia’s ABC that his son’s instincts came from years in security work. “I feel pride and honour because my son is a hero of Australia,” he said. His mother, Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed, said, “My son has always been brave. He helps people.”
Life in Australia
Ahmed Al Ahmed moved to Australia nearly two decades ago and now runs a small tobacco shop in Sydney. He is the father of two daughters, aged three and six. His parents relocated to Sydney earlier this year to live with him. As the investigation into the attack continues, Ahmed’s actions have drawn widespread praise, with many crediting his split-second intervention for preventing further loss of life.
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