What we know about Ahmed al-Ahmed, bystander who wrestled attacker in Sydney shooting

A man who was filmed tackling and disarming an armed attacker during a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday has been hailed as a hero and widely praised, with authorities and world leaders crediting his actions with potentially saving lives. 

The shooting left 16 people dead and 40 hospitalized, according to Australian authorities. 

Video footage circulating online shows a bystander rushing toward a gunman in a parking area near the beach, wrestling the attacker from behind and forcing a rifle out of his hands. 

The footage shows the bystander pointing the gun at the disarmed man, who falls to the ground and backs away toward a bridge atop which another shooter was located. The bystander then places the gun against a tree.  

Australian media outlets have identified the man as Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, a fruit shop owner in the Sydney suburb of Sutherland and a father of two. 

The identities of the attackers have not yet been confirmed by Australian authorities. 

Photographs shared on social media later showed Ahmed lying on the ground, appearing injured.  

A cousin of Ahmed, identified as Mustafa, spoke with Australian television network 7News following the incident. Mustafa told the network that Ahmed had been shot twice during the attack, with one of the bullets hitting his shoulder and another hitting his hand. 

“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” said Mustafa, who identified himself as Ahmed’s cousin. “But we hope he will be fine. He’s a hero — 100%, a hero.” Mustafa said that he hadn’t been able to talk with Ahmed on Sunday, adding that Ahmed was set to undergo surgery on Sunday night. 

As the footage spread online, Ahmed's courage was hailed across social media platforms. Users on X called Ahmed a “hero” and a “savior.” One user wrote that Ahmed “is the Australia we all know and believe in.”  

Prominent leaders have also commented on Ahmed’s act. At a press conference on Sunday night, Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales — where Sydney is located — called the video “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen … putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people. That man is a genuine hero and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.” 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Ahmed’s act as well, saying on Sunday, “We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.” 

Speaking from the White House on Sunday, US President Donald Trump called Ahmed a “very, very brave person” who “saved a lot of lives.” Trump offered “great respect to that man that did that.” 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likewise praised Ahmed’s act, but labeled him as Jewish. Ahmed’s religious affiliation has not been publicly confirmed. Social media users have speculated that Ahmed is Muslim, because of his traditionally Muslim Arabic name.  

Speaking about the attack on Sunday, Netanyahu said, “We also saw Jewish heroism at its best … I saw a video of a Jew who pounces on one of the murderers, takes his weapon and saves who knows how many lives."