Sydney (Australia), December 15 (EFE). – The man who disarmed one of the perpetrators of the Sydney attack that left 15 people dead in addition to one of the suspected attackers is recovering in a hospital after being shot in the arm and hand, a relative said.
Australian media identified him as Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, who hid behind some vehicles on Sunday to surprise one of the attackers and wrestled with him until he used his own hands to take away the rifle he used to shoot passers-by on the popular Bondi Beach.
“He is 100% a hero,” Mustafa, Ahmed’s cousin, told Australia’s 7 News.
The relative said Ahmed, a father of two and fruit shop owner, remained in hospital after undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds to his arm and hand.
The attack occurred around 6:40 p.m. local time (7:40 GMT) on Sunday when two men armed with rifles opened fire on the crowd gathered in a park near the famous beach, one of the busiest and most touristy beaches in the country.
Australian authorities confirmed on Monday that the suspected perpetrators of the terrorist attack were a 50-year-old man who died after the confrontation with police, and his 24-year-old son, who remains in hospital in police custody.
Police said they were not looking for other suspects and that the deceased had held a firearms license for a decade with at least six registered weapons.
Fourteen people died at the scene and two others, including a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man, died later in hospital.
Ahmed’s courageous response was praised on social media and by politicians inside and outside the Oceanian country.
At a Christmas reception in the White House, US President Donald Trump described Ahmed as “a very, very brave person” who probably “saved a lot of lives”.
For his part, Chris Minns, the political leader of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, said Ahmed was “a true hero.” EFE
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