Bondi Beach ‘Hero’ Who Disarmed Shooter Is Recovering from ‘Complex Operation,’ Says Lawyer in Health Update By Charna Flam

Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who disarmed one of the gunmen involved in the mass shooting at a Hanukkah event on Australia’s Bondi Beach, is still recovering.

Ahmed underwent “a very complex operation,” which “involves nerve damage,” the 43-year-old’s lawyer, Sam Issa, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Thursday, Dec. 18.

“Ahmed’s in a lot of discomfort today, naturally,” Issa said, adding that the father of two is preparing for another eight-hour surgery tomorrow.

The fruit shop owner’s recovery follows his heroic act on Sunday, Dec. 14, after two gunmen opened fire on the crowd in Archer Park at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

The “terrorist incident” occurred as the Jewish community gathered for the beach festival Chanukah (Hanukkah) by the Sea, attended by many children and families on the first night of the eight-day holiday, News.com.au reported.

At least 15 people were killed and 40 others were injured. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old, local outlets reported.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, were identified as the shooters, ABC and the BBC reported. Sajid died, and his son survived and is in custody.

After the mass shooting, video footage began to circulate of Ahmed hiding behind a parked car near one of the gunmen before rushing up to the shooter and wrestling him to the ground. He grabbed the firearm and aimed back at the gunman.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Ahmed in the hospital, and told him, “You’re very strong. Your heart is strong. Your courage is inspiring,” according to a Monday, Dec. 15 X post.

“It’s the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said. “A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people.” 

“That man is a genuine hero,” Minns said. “I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”

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As Ahmed was recognized by leaders in Australia and across the globe, his parents celebrated their son’s courage. “My son is a hero,” his father, Mohammad Fatih Al-Ahmed, told CBS News on Monday, Dec. 15.

“When he saw those people on the ground covered in blood, his conscience and his morals compelled him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon, and the terrorist ran away,” Mohammad continued, explaining how the second attacker then shot Ahmed in the shoulder from a distance.

Ahmed’s mother shared that she learned “he was involved in an incident and that he was in hospital.”

“Then, when I learned the details, I was very proud that my son was helping people and saving lives,” she added, noting that he had sustained bullet wounds to the shoulder and hand.

“I am so proud of my son because he is a hero all around Australia,” his father said. “There isn’t a news agency that hasn’t shown the heroic work he did.”