The hero who disarmed a terrorist with his bare hands in Sydney is 43-year-old fruit vendor Ahmed al Ahmed
The man who disarmed one of the terrorists with his bare hands during the shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia is 43-year-old fruit vendor and father of two Ahmed al Ahmed. His act likely helped save a number of lives. He was shot himself.
Panic and horror reigned at the scene of Sunday’s shooting by two terrorists with long guns at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. But at least one person maintained his composure and showed immense courage by disarming one of the shooters with his bare hands.
His heroics were captured on camera and the footage went viral on social media. It was later revealed that the unknown man was Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, a father of two from Sydney who owns a fruit shop in the southern suburb of Sutherland, according to News.com.au.
His identity was also confirmed by his cousin, who gave an interview to the Australian station 7News
Ahmed, who had no experience with weapons, was supposed to be walking by when the shooting broke out. He managed to sneak up on one of the gunmen, who was holding a shotgun, and after a brief struggle, he disarmed him.
The footage shows him aiming the weapon he obtained at the attacker for a moment, who then moved away towards the second shooter.
Ahmed al Ahmed himself suffered a gunshot wound during his heroic act. He was reportedly hit by two bullets, one in his hand and the other in his shoulder. After the shooting, he was taken to hospital for surgery; further details are not yet available. However, doctors say he should be fine, his cousin told 7News.
Worst mass shooting since 1996
Police have described the shooting as a terrorist act, with the attack allegedly targeting a Jewish community celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Media reports said around 2,000 people attended the beach celebrations, while Australian police said more than 1,000 people attended.
Two terrorists, armed with long guns, killed 11 people and injured at least 29 at the scene, according to the latest information. Two police officers are believed to be among the injured.
One of the attackers was identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, according to Sky News . His identity was later confirmed by police. They are also searching his home and two people were arrested near the property. Akram was shot during the police operation and was subsequently arrested.
The second shooter, aged between 40 and 50, was killed during a police operation and his identity is not yet known.
The second shooter is also linked to a homemade explosive found in a car parked nearby, according to Sky News.
The Bondi Beach attack is Australia’s worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when 28-year-old Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 23 others. The gunman was sentenced to 35 life sentences, and Australia responded by severely restricting private gun ownership.
