Bondi Beach Hero Breaks Silence After Terror Attack
Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Syrian-Australian shop owner hailed as a national hero for disarming a gunman during the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack, has spoken publicly for the first time about his life-saving actions. In an emotional interview with CBS News, the 44-year-old father of two described how he wrestled a shotgun from attacker Sajid Akram despite being shot multiple times during the December 14 massacre that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.
'Everything in My Heart Was About Saving Lives'
'Everything in my heart and my head, everything was about saving people's lives,' Ahmed told CBS News. 'Emotionally I do something, I feel something, a power in my body, my brain. I don't want to see people killed in front of my eyes, I don't want to hear his gun, I don't want to see people screaming and begging, calling for help.'
The tobacco shop owner, who was getting coffee with his cousin when the attack began, described how he acted instinctively when he saw the gunmen targeting the crowd of approximately 1,000 people at Sydney's iconic beach. 'My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing innocent people,' Ahmed explained. 'I know I saved many lives, but I have pity for those who didn't survive.'
The Attack That Shook Australia
The December 14 attack at Bondi Beach was one of Australia's deadliest terrorist incidents in decades. According to Wikipedia, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram killed 15 people and injured 40 others during the Hanukkah celebration. The attackers, who had reportedly received combat training in the Philippines, threw homemade bombs that failed to detonate before opening fire from an elevated footbridge overlooking Archer Park.
Police responded within minutes, killing Sajid Akram and critically injuring Naveed, who has been charged with 59 offenses including terrorism and 15 counts of murder. The attack has been declared an Islamic State-linked terrorist act motivated by antisemitism, making it the second-deadliest mass shooting in modern Australian history after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Recovery and Recognition
Ahmed was shot five times during his heroic intervention and has undergone three surgeries at a Sydney hospital. He faces at least six months of rehabilitation for nerve damage in his left arm. Despite his injuries, he was discharged from hospital on December 28 and has received overwhelming support from the Australian public.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Ahmed in hospital, calling him 'an inspiration for all Australians' and 'a true Australian hero who represents the best of our country.' New South Wales Premier Chris Minns posted photos of his hospital visit on social media, describing Ahmed as 'a real hero' whose 'incredible courage in disarming a terrorist at enormous personal risk undoubtedly saved countless lives.'
David Ossip, president of the Jewish Board of Deputies of New South Wales, called Ahmed 'a hero for the Jewish community and all of Australia.' Even King Charles mentioned Ahmed's bravery in his Christmas speech, while former U.S. President Donald Trump also praised his actions.
Outpouring of Support
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over 2.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 1.5 million euros) from more than 40,000 donors worldwide, including billionaire William Ackman. The campaign organizers wrote: 'This GoFundMe campaign was established to express our gratitude and support for someone who showed incredible courage at the moment it mattered most.'
At Ahmed's tobacco shop near Bondi Beach, hundreds of people have left notes and flowers expressing their gratitude and sympathy. In Melbourne, a mural has been painted in his honor, and his family members from overseas have been granted visas to help with his recovery.
Background of a Hero
Ahmed al-Ahmed emigrated from Syria to Australia in 2006 after serving in Syria's police and central security forces. He settled in Sydney with his family and opened a tobacco shop near Bondi Beach, becoming part of the local community. His father told media that his son's 'conscience and soul' compelled him to act without discrimination during the attack.
The Bondi Beach area has a significant Jewish population, with approximately 18.2% of Waverley Council residents identifying as Jewish. The beach has been a gathering place for Jewish communities since post-World War II migration, making it a symbolic target for the antisemitic attack.
As Australia continues to process the trauma of the December 14 attack, Ahmed al-Ahmed's story has become a symbol of courage and unity in the face of hatred. His simple explanation for his actions - 'It's what my soul told me to do' - resonates with a nation grappling with how to respond to violent extremism while celebrating the ordinary citizens who become heroes in extraordinary circumstances.