Man who disarmed gunman in Bondi Beach mass shooting receives more than A$2.5 million in donations
A man credited with saving lives by wrestling a gun from one of the alleged attackers in the Bondi Beach mass shooting has received a cheque for more than A$2.5 million (€1.4 million) after tens of thousands of people contributed to an online fundraising campaign.
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Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was presented with an oversized cheque at his bed in St. George Hospital by social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, a co-organiser of the GoFundMe page, according to videos posted online. Australia’s prime minister and the state premier have visited Mr. Ahmed in hospital to praise his bravery.
Mr. Ahmed, a Muslim father of two and a tobacco store owner, was wounded after he charged from behind and seized a gun from one assailant during the shooting, before he was apparently fired upon by a second perpetrator. He remains in hospital after undergoing surgery.
“I deserve it?” Mr. Ahmed asked when handed the cheque, to which Mr. Dereniowski replied, “Every penny,” the video shows.
Addressing those who donated, Mr. Ahmed urged unity. “To stand with each other, all human beings. And forget everything bad … and keep going to save life,” he said. He added that on the day of the attack, “everyone was happy and they deserve to enjoy,” raising his uninjured fist in the air. “This country [is the] best country in the world … but we’re not going to stand and keep watching – enough is enough. God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.”
It was not immediately clear what Mr. Ahmed plans to do with the funds raised.
Mr. Ahmed left his hometown in Syria’s northwest Idlib province nearly 20 years ago to seek work in Australia. He has been credited with decisive action during Sunday’s attack at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.
Authorities allege a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son carried out the attack. The elder suspect was shot dead by police, while the younger man was critically wounded, officials said. Fifteen people were killed and dozens more were injured in the assault, which sent beachgoers and families fleeing for cover along the promenade and nearby streets.
Witness accounts shared online and in media reports describe Mr. Ahmed hiding behind parked cars before charging one of the alleged attackers from behind, knocking him to the ground and seizing his weapon. Moments later, he was struck by gunfire believed to be from a second assailant.
Mr. Dereniowski, known for spotlighting acts of community generosity, helped launch the GoFundMe campaign that drew tens of thousands of donations within days. In the video of the hospital visit, he tells Mr. Ahmed the money reflects the gratitude of people who credit him with preventing further loss of life.
The mass shooting has shaken Australia and prompted an outpouring of support for victims, first responders and civilians who intervened. While political leaders have not detailed specific policy responses, the hospital visits by national and state leaders underscored the official recognition of Mr. Ahmed’s actions.
For Mr. Ahmed, the message he emphasized was less about his own role and more about the community’s response. “Stand with each other,” he said, calling for solidarity and a shared commitment to protect life in the wake of violence.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the attack and the alleged involvement of the father and son, whose identities have not been released by police.
Mr. Ahmed remains under medical care. From his hospital bed, he repeated a sentiment that has resonated widely in the days since the shooting: “God protect Australia.”
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
