In his first public account of the horrific Hanukkah attack that shocked Australia, Bondi Beach hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed has detailed the moment he rushed and disarmed one of the gunmen in a desperate bid to save lives.
The Syrian-born tobacconist owner became a national symbol of courage after mobile phone footage captured him tackling suspected terrorist Sajid Akram during the deadly rampage at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach on December 14. The attack, which police say was carried out by a father and son inspired by ISIS ideology, resulted in the deaths of 15 people.
"I Don't Want to See People Killed in Front of Me"
Speaking to CBS, Al-Ahmed recounted the instinctual decision to intervene amid the chaos. "I jumped on his back, hit him," he said. "I held him with my right hand and started saying a word, you know, like to warn him, 'drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing.'"
His motivation was immediate and visceral, focused solely on protecting the hundreds of people celebrating the Jewish holiday. "I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help," he explained. "And that’s my soul asking me to do that. Everything in my heart, in my brain, everything, it’s worked just to manage to save the peoples’ life."
Recovering from Wounds, Honored as a Hero
During the struggle, Al-Ahmed sustained two gunshot wounds and is continuing his recovery. His bravery has been recognized at the highest levels of Australian government. He was visited in the hospital by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
The Australian government has also fast-tracked visa applications to allow members of his immediate family to travel from Syria to be by his side during his recovery. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to establish a special honor for those who demonstrated extraordinary courage during what he called a terrorist attack "motivated by ISIS and antisemitism."
A Haunting Sense of Loss Amid Heroism
Despite knowing his actions prevented further bloodshed, Al-Ahmed carries a profound sense of sorrow. "I know I saved lots of peoples lives, innocent kids and women and men, and I know I save lots [of people]. But I feel sorry still for the lost," he said, reflecting on the victims.
The suspected gunman he confronted, Sajid Akram, was later shot dead by police during the attack. His alleged accomplice and son, Naveed Akram, now faces 59 criminal charges related to the rampage, which stands as the second-deadliest mass shooting in modern Australian history. Al-Ahmed's simple, powerful act in the face of terror has cemented his place as a national hero.
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