Ahmed al-Ahmed has been dubbed a hero following the Bondi Beach shooting and thousands have donated to him as he undergoes surgery in hospital.
The Syrian-born fruit vendor, 43, has been hailed for his brave efforts during one of Australia’s darkest moments in recent memory.
When two gunmen opened fire at crowds at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday (December 14), Ahmed leapt into action.
He was successfully able to tackle one of the alleged shooters and disarm him, a feat that many have suspected may have saved countless lives.
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15 people died as a result of the attack, as well as one of the alleged suspects, 50-year-old Sajid Akram.
In the process of disarming one of the gunmen, Ahmed was shot twice and has been receiving treatment in hospital.
Video footage captured Ahmed’s heroic efforts and it quickly went viral on social media. This later resulted in a fundraiser being set up for the fruit vendor and, at the time of writing, $2,537,062 has been raised following over 42,000 donations.
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Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Ahmed’s lawyer, Sam Issa, provided an update on the brave 43-year-old.
On Thursday (December 18), he said that Ahmed had recently undergone ‘a very complex operation’ which involved ‘nerve damage’ and is currently ‘in a lot of discomfort today, naturally’.
He added that the father-of-two is now preparing for another eight-hour surgery for the following day.
Earlier this week, Ahmed issued his first statement to the world from his hospital bed.
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TRT World, the public broadcaster in Türkiye, posted a clip of Ahmed in hospital sending prayers out to people.
Speaking in Arabic, he said [translated]: “I appreciate the efforts of everyone. May Allah reward you and grant you wellbeing. God willing, we will return to you with joy. Thank you for your efforts.”
He added: “I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it … I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me.”
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For his efforts, Ahmed has received many high profile visits, including from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who told him: “You’re very strong. Your heart is strong. Your courage is inspiring.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also visited his bedside and said: “It's the most unbelievable scene I've ever seen.
“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. I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
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Police have since charged the surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
He also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, one count of discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one count of placing an explosive in or near a building and a charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organization symbol.
Topics: News, Terrorism, World News, Australia, Money
Gerrard Kaonga