A bystander filmed subduing and disarming one of two attackers in Sunday’s terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in the Australian city of Sydney has been hailed as a hero whose courageous action saved lives.
Images circulating on social media showed a man, identified by local media as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, in a parking lot, dressed in a white shirt, lunging at one of the attackers, another man in a dark shirt holding a rifle. The attack, which targeted Sydney’s Jewish community, left at least 11 dead and 29 injured.
Shortly after, Al Ahmed manages to grab the weapon from the attacker’s hands and points it at him. The video shows how the attacker begins to move back towards a bridge where the other attacker was, while Al Ahmed leaves the rifle on the ground.
Chris Minns, premier of the state of New South Wales, whose capital is Sydney, called Al Ahmed a “true hero” and said the video was “the most incredible scene” he had ever seen. “There are many, many people alive tonight because of their courage,” Minns added. Local media Seven short stories assured that Al Ahmed was hospitalized after being shot twice.
One of the alleged attackers is dead and another is arrested and in critical condition following the shooting at the beach event celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Police said they were investigating whether a third attacker was involved.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the actions of Australians who “ran into danger to help others”. “These Australians are heroes and their courage saved lives,” Albanese told a news conference.
“The majority flee danger, but this man (Al Ahmed), present during the massacre which just occurred on Bondi beach, was not part of it,” wrote a user on
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