Featured Image Credit: YouTube/7NEWS Australia
Topics: Australia, News, World News, Gun Crime
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: Australia, News, World News, Gun Crime
A bystander risked his own life in the middle of a mass shooting to attack one of the gunmen and the hero’s parents have now spoken out for the first time.
Australia is currently mourning following one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country since 1996 in Port Arthur.
So far, at least 15 people have been confirmed to have died after two gunmen shot at crowds at Bondi Beach, Sydney, as they celebrated the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Following the shooting, it was revealed that the alleged gunmen were father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.
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One moment during the chaos was captured on film and showed a civilian attempting to disarm one of the gunmen as they continued to shoot at people.
This person has been identified as 43-year-old fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed and has been praised globally for most certainly saving lives.
The video shows Ahmed sneak up on one of the gunmen and wrestle the gun away from him successfully, albeit while suffering shots himself.
After getting ahold of the gun, he then points it at one of the shooters, who proceeds to flee.
Ahmed’s parents have spoken to local media and praised their son for his heroism, confirming that he had previously served with Syrian law enforcement before moving to Australia. His parents have only recently moved to the country.
The father, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed, speaking to ABC news, said: “My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces.
“He has the impulse to protect people.
“When he did what he did, he wasn’t thinking about the background of the people he was saving.
“My son is an Australian citizen, he defended the innocent people.”
Ahmed’s mother echoed these sentiments as she also spoke to reporters.
His mother, Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed, added: “My son has always been brave, he helps people, he is like that.”
Ahmed’s parents say he has already undergone his first surgery to remove several bullets from his shoulder and hand.
A fundraiser has already been set up for Ahmed, and so far over $1 million has been raised.
The emergency workers have also been praised by the wider public as well as Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, for their bravery helping people immediately after and during the attack.
During a speech, Albanese said: “I think we need to recognize their incredible work at a time as well when two police officers have been seriously injured as a result of the efforts and bravery they have shown.”