SYDNEY — Australian media on Friday identified Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim father of two, as the man who tackled one of the shooters during the Bondi Beach attack. The incident occurred earlier today in Sydney, where al Ahmed was shot and hospitalised while intervening to stop the attacker, according to local reports.
A relative of the man who risked his life to wrestle the weapon from one of the gunmen has spoken to Australia’s 7NEWS, revealing that Ahmed was shot twice during the mass shooting.
Speaking outside the hospital, Mustafa confirmed it was his cousin, 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, who likely saved countless lives when he confronted and wrestled with the gunman.
According to 7NEWS, Ahmed was shot twice during the commotion and was due to undergo surgery later that night.
Mustafa said his cousin, a dad-of-two who owns a fruit shop in Sutherland, had no experience with guns and was simply walking past when he made the decision to intervene.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” Mustafa said.
“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 per cent.”
At least 12 people have been killed and 29 others injured in the Sunday mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The shooting reportedly targeted a Jewish event for Hannukah, the festival of lights.
Australian police have confirmed that 12 people died in the attack, including one of the shooters. Several police officers responding to the scene were also injured.
An ABC reporter who spoke with authorities earlier confirmed multiple fatalities and said the threat is no longer active, with two suspects now in custody. It has also been reported that there were three attackers.
The identities of the attackers and their motives have not yet been verified by authorities; however, politicians have described the incident as a “terrorist attack.”
