Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian shop owner, has shared his first television interview since the attack on December 14, during which he bravely tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen at Bondi Beach.
The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of fifteen people, marking Australia’s deadliest event since Port Arthur in 1996, with at least 40 others injured when Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration.
Sajid, aged 50, was killed by police at the scene, while Naveed faces 59 charges and has been moved to Long Bay Correctional Facility in Malabar, Sydney.
More than two weeks later, three of the victims remain critically injured, and nine individuals continue to receive treatment in various hospitals across Sydney.
Al-Ahmed gained international attention for his quick thinking in trying to take a firearm away from one of the assailants.
In an interview with CBS News, Al-Ahmed expressed that his only concern during the chaos was saving lives. “My goal was just to take the gun away from him and stop him from killing innocent people,” he explained.
He reflected on his actions, admitting, “I know I’ve saved a lot, but it’s a shame that I lost it,” as he had endured significant injuries during the attack, having been shot twice and undergoing five surgeries since.
Recounting the moment he confronted the gunman, he said, “I jumped on his back and punched him,” emphasizing how instinctively he felt compelled to act in that moment.
“Emotionally, I’m doing something… I don’t want to see people get killed in front of me,” he added, revealing the intensity of his feelings during the incident.
Recently, Al-Ahmed’s family from abroad was granted visas to support him as he recovers. His lawyer, Sam Issa, mentioned that family members would be arriving from Germany, Russia, and the UAE, while another sister is trying to secure a visitor visa from Syria.
Issa recognized the importance of this family support for Al-Ahmed, and Home Secretary Tony Burke commended the decision to allow family members to be near him, describing his courage as reflective of the values Australians aspire to uphold.
Before the attack, Al-Ahmed had been planning to sell his tobacco shop in Sutherland, but it was sold while he was recovering in the hospital. Currently, he has no definite plans for his next steps as he focuses on recuperation.
In recognition of his bravery, he received a $2.5 million check as part of a fundraiser that attracted over 43,000 donations globally. When receiving the check from influencer Zachery Dereniowski, he expressed uncertainty about his eligibility for it, to which Dereniowski assured him that even a small amount was significant.
His brave actions, along with those of other Australians during the attack, were acknowledged by King Charles in his Christmas message. The King praised those who risk their safety to protect others, expressing hope for common values among people of different faiths.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Al-Ahmed in the hospital, calling him an “Australian hero” and acknowledging the deep bravery he exhibited in an alarming situation. Albanese remarked on the courage displayed by Al-Ahmed as an inspiring example for all Australians, reinforcing the nation’s strength in confronting evil.
