Australians on Sunday hailed Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit seller, as a hero for his daring and selfless intervention during the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 11 people and wounded several others.
Footage that surfaced on social media after the attack showed a man grabbing one of the gunmen as shots were fired at civilians. In the video, the man is seen wrestling the weapon out of the attacker’s hand and pointing it back at him, forcing the assailant to retreat.
The video, verified by Reuters through corroborating visuals, shows a man wearing a white shirt confronting a gunman dressed in a dark shirt who was holding a rifle in a nearby car park. The bystander is seen tackling the attacker from behind, forcibly wrenching the weapon from his hands before briefly pointing it back at him.
The footage then shows the gunman retreating towards a bridge area, where another suspected shooter was positioned, while the bystander places the rifle on the ground and backs away.
Ahmed Al Ahmed. Sutherland fruit shop owner and 2026 Australian of the Year.#Bondi@7NewsAustraliahttps://t.co/o0UcuuQg7Mpic.twitter.com/Wriay2GKsx— bear (@beartorius) December 14, 2025
Local outlet 7News identified the man as Ahmed al Ahmed and reported that he suffered two gunshot wounds during the struggle. The channel quoted a man named Mustapha, identified as Ahmed’s cousin, as saying the family was anxiously awaiting updates on his condition.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” Mustapha said.
“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent.” Ahmed’s bravery drew widespread praise online, with many crediting his quick thinking for saving lives amid the chaos.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, hailing Ahmed and others who intervened as “heroes”. Authorities said the gunmen killed 11 people and wounded many more in what police have described as a “terrorist” attack that targeted members of the Jewish community gathered at Bondi Beach.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns hailed the bystander as “a genuine hero,” describing the footage as “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen.”
“There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery,” Minns said.
Police said one suspected gunman was killed and another was in critical condition following the attack, which took place during a gathering to mark the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Authorities are also investigating whether a third gunman may have been involved.
After Brown University, massive shooting was seen during the festival of Hanukkah on the Jewish people at Bondi Beach in Sydney Australia Seen here is a brave man single handedly taking down on the shooter Incredible pic.twitter.com/DfoFzVKYjv — Dennis jacob (@12431djm) December 14, 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised those who intervened despite the danger.
“These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives,” Albanese told a press conference, adding that some people had “run towards danger in order to help others.”
The incident triggered an outpouring of praise online, with social media users lauding the bystander’s courage.
“Most people run from danger but this man, present at the Bondi Beach massacre that just took place, was not one of those people,” one user wrote on X.
“This Australian man saved countless lives by stripping the gun off one of the terrorists at Bondi beach. HERO,” another post said.
Police have described the shooting, which killed 11 people and injured several others, as a “terrorist” attack targeting the Jewish community.
*With Agency InputsDiscover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
