‘Hero’ who disarmed Bondi Beach gunman recovers in hospital as donations pour in

SYDNEY – Donations for a Sydney man who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting at Bondi Beach have surged past A$1.1 million (S$940,000), as he recovers in hospital after surgery for bullet wounds.

Forty-three-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim father of two, hid behind parked cars before

charging at one of the gunmen

from behind, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Ahmed’s bravery saved lives.

“What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw an example of the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger, putting his own life at risk,” Mr Albanese told state broadcaster ABC News.

Mr Ahmed was shot twice by a second perpetrator, Mr Albanese said. His family said he was hit in the hand and arm.

Australian police said on Dec 15 that a

50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son carried out the attack

at ​a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach on the afternoon of Dec 14, killing 15 people in the country’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.

Hailed a hero for disarming the gunman

Mr Ahmed’s father, Mr Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told ABC News in an interview that his son was an Australian citizen and sells fruits and vegetables. “My son is a hero. He served in the police, he has the passion to defend people,” Mr Mohamed Fateh said.

“When he saw people lying on the ground and the blood, quickly his conscience pushed him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon.”

Mr Ahmed had had initial surgery and may need more, said his cousin, Mr Jozay Alkanji.

Ahmed pictured in hospital

Tributes have poured in from leaders both abroad and at home.

Mr Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, said in a social media post that he visited Mr Ahmed at St George Hospital and conveyed the gratitude of people across the state.

“Ahmed is a real-life hero,” his post said. “Thank you, Ahmed.” A photo showed Mr Minns at his bedside, and Mr Ahmed propped on pillows with his left arm in a cast.

US President Donald Trump called Mr Ahmed “a very, very brave person” who saved many lives. Mr Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, has hailed him “a genuine hero” and said the video was “the most unbelievable scene I have ever seen”.

A GoFundMe ​campaign has been set up for Mr Ahmed, with just over A$200,000 (S$171,530) raised in a few ​hours. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman was the largest donor, contributing A$99,999 and sharing the fund-raiser on his X account.

Supporters thank Ahmed for saving lives

Outside St George Hospital in the Sydney suburb of Kogarah where Mr Ahmed is being treated, complete strangers came to show their support.

Mr Misha and Mrs Veronica Pochuev came to the hospital with their seven-year-old daughter Miroslava to drop off flowers for Mr Ahmed. “My husband is Russian, my father is Jewish, my grandpa is Muslim. This is not only about Bondi, this is about every person,” Mrs Pochuev said.

Ms Yomna Touni, 43, stayed at the hospital for hours to offer assistance on behalf of a Muslim-run charity also raising funds for Mr Ahmed.

“The intention is to raise as much money as possible for his speedy recovery,” she said. REUTERS