The man who disarmed one of the gunmen responsible for the tragic shooting at a Jewish event in Bondi Beach has shared his motivations during the harrowing moments leading up to his bold actions.
In verified footage, Ahmed al Ahmed, a Sydney shop owner originally from Syria, tackled one of two shooters from behind and managed to wrestle a firearm away from him. I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him - 'drop your gun, stop doing what you're doing', Mr. Ahmed recounted in an exclusive interview with CBS News. The father-of-two, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds from the second assailant, expressed remorse over the lives lost during the attack while emphasizing the importance of his actions.
Reflecting on the incident, Mr. Ahmed described his determination to prevent any more innocent bloodshed: My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being's life and not killing innocent people.
The attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 15 individuals and injured 40 others, has been labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996. Authorities have classified it as an act of terrorism aimed at the Jewish community.
The man who responded to the massacre, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police, while his son and accomplice, Naveed Akram, was hospitalized and subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including murder.
Ahmed al Ahmed's courageous deed has not only saved countless lives but also drawn admiration from around the country. In the aftermath of the shooting, he received a heartfelt donation of A$2.5 million from the community, recognizing his heroism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited him in the hospital, praising him as a national treasure, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns referred to him as a real-life hero.
Despite his injuries requiring several surgeries, Mr. Ahmed remains steadfast in his message of peace, stating, I don't want to see people killed in front of me, I don't want to see blood, I don't want to hear his gun, I don't want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help. The community's response to his sacrifice is a testament to the power of human courage in the face of unimaginable adversity.
In verified footage, Ahmed al Ahmed, a Sydney shop owner originally from Syria, tackled one of two shooters from behind and managed to wrestle a firearm away from him. I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him - 'drop your gun, stop doing what you're doing', Mr. Ahmed recounted in an exclusive interview with CBS News. The father-of-two, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds from the second assailant, expressed remorse over the lives lost during the attack while emphasizing the importance of his actions.
Reflecting on the incident, Mr. Ahmed described his determination to prevent any more innocent bloodshed: My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being's life and not killing innocent people.
The attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 15 individuals and injured 40 others, has been labeled as Australia's deadliest mass shooting since 1996. Authorities have classified it as an act of terrorism aimed at the Jewish community.
The man who responded to the massacre, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police, while his son and accomplice, Naveed Akram, was hospitalized and subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including murder.
Ahmed al Ahmed's courageous deed has not only saved countless lives but also drawn admiration from around the country. In the aftermath of the shooting, he received a heartfelt donation of A$2.5 million from the community, recognizing his heroism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited him in the hospital, praising him as a national treasure, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns referred to him as a real-life hero.
Despite his injuries requiring several surgeries, Mr. Ahmed remains steadfast in his message of peace, stating, I don't want to see people killed in front of me, I don't want to see blood, I don't want to hear his gun, I don't want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help. The community's response to his sacrifice is a testament to the power of human courage in the face of unimaginable adversity.
