Featured Image Credit: 7News
Topics: Australia, News, Terrorism, World News, Gun Crime
Callum Jones
The lawyer of a man who was seen running towards one of the alleged Bondi Beach shooters has spoken out after he was labeled a hero.
At least 15 people have died and dozens more are injured after two gunmen shot at crowds at the popular tourist destination in Sydney on Sunday (December 14).
Father-and-son duo, Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed, 24, the alleged gunmen, targeted large crowds celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the nearby Archer Park.
While Sajid was declared dead at the scene, Naveed is reportedly in a critical condition in hospital.
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Footage of the terrorist attack has been shared from all angles on social media, including the heroic efforts of 43-year-old fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the alleged gunmen as they continued to shoot at people.
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Another clip saw a man running towards one of the attackers, believed to be Naveed, as he continued to fire at innocent civilians.
The man hid behind a tree with a detective before the shooter was struck by police fire. He then 'ran through' the scene towards the shooter and 'kicked away' the weapon, according to CNN.
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Lawyer Alison Battisson, who represents the man, declined to give her client's name but told CNN he's a Middle Eastern refugee and father of two who performed the heroic act after arriving at Bondi Beach by taxi.
Referring to him as 'AB', Battisson told CNN: "He ran towards the shooting, yelling for help. The government won’t give him a permanent visa. He has no right to stay here, yet he still ran forward to assist the Australian community."
When AB approached the gunman, he was unsure he had been downed, leading to a bit of confusion and the police mistakenly firing a 'shot' at him.
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"He kicked the gun away and it got a bit confusing as people thought he was the shooter so the police shot at him," Battisson added. "Then the detective ran up and said ‘no, he’s with me.’”
Stating they are 'not familiar' with the incident, News South Wales Police said in a statement provided to UNILAD: "NSW Police does not disclose identities of potential witnesses and as the investigation is very much in its infancy, we’d urge the man to come forward and provide a statement to detectives."
Despite having no right to remain in Australia, AB has a pregnant wife and two children who are Australian citizens.