Ahmed el Ahmed did not run away when gunfire erupted at Bondi Beach. He ran towards it.
In a moment of extraordinary courage, the 43-year-old father of two wrestled a rifle from one of the gunmen during Sunday’s mass shooting, an act authorities say may have saved countless lives.
It is reported that Ahmed was later shot at least twice and is now recovering in hospital, hailed by leaders and witnesses alike as a hero.
Footage from the scene shows Ahmed moving cautiously through the Campbell Parade car park, using parked cars for cover before launching himself at the armed attacker. He overpowered the gunman, prised the weapon from his hands and forced him to retreat, before placing the rifle aside and backing away. Moments later, Ahmed was hit by bullets to his upper arm and hand.
“He put his entire life at risk for complete strangers,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said on Monday.
“Without his heroic behaviour, this situation could have been even worse.”
Ahmed, who owns a fruit business in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and has no known experience with firearms, had been visiting Bondi when he saw the attack unfolding.
His cousin, Mustafa, told Seven News outside St George Hospital that the family was anxiously awaiting updates as Ahmed underwent surgery. “He’s a hero, 100 per cent,” Mustafa said.
“We just hope he will be fine.”
The attack has now claimed 16 lives, including a child, according to Park, who confirmed the updated death toll during an interview on the Today show. Four injured patients were transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital, where one later died.
As Monday morning broke, Bondi Beach remained an active crime scene. Streets near the beachfront were closed, while personal items lay scattered across footpaths and parkland.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns both singled out Ahmed’s actions as a powerful reminder of courage amid tragedy.
“We have seen Australians run towards danger in order to help others,” Albanese said.
“These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.”
Minns echoed the sentiment, pointing to “extraordinary acts of personal courage” in the face of terror.
Ryan Park said Australia’s gun laws remain among the toughest in the world, but stressed that questions about how the weapons were obtained would be addressed by police as the investigation continues. He said it was unclear how long Bondi would remain closed, describing the inquiry as extensive.
Above all, Park urged calm. “We need police to do their investigative work. We need our healthcare workers and paramedics to do theirs,” he said.
“At the heart of our nation is tolerance — and that must guide us now.”
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