Bondi Beach shooting: Hero who disarmed gunman recovering from surgery, family says
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Mr Ahmed al Ahmed (in white) was identified on social media as the bystander who tackled the gunman.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow topic:
SYDNEY – A Sydney fruit shop owner who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during the mass shooting at Bondi Beach is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for bullet wounds to his arm and hand, his family said.
Mr Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was identified on social media as the bystander who hid behind parked cars before charging at the gunman from behind, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground.
Australian police on Dec 15 said a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son carried out the attack
Mr Ahmed’s cousin Mustafa told 7News Australia that doctors had informed the family that Mr Ahmed was stable following surgery.
“He is a hero, he is a hundred percent hero,” Mr Mustafa said.
“Still he is in the hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside ... but we hope he will be fine.”
Tributes have poured in from leaders both abroad and at home.
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’ve ever seen”.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Mr Ahmed with just over A$200,000 (S$171,720) raised in a few hours. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman was the largest donor, contributing A$99,999 and sharing the fundraiser on his X account. REUTERS
