The parents of 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed say their son is a hero after he disarmed a gunman at a Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach and was later shot. Ahmed, a fruit shop owner and father of two young daughters, sustained wounds to his shoulder and hand and underwent surgery. The attack, described as a terrorist incident, killed at least 15 people and injured about 40; authorities identified two suspects, a father and son, with one dead at the scene and the other in custody.
Parents Praise Son Who Disarmed Bondi Beach Shooter: “My Son Is a Hero”
Chris Minns/instagramNew South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Ahmed al Ahmed, the Sydney man who wrestled a gun from one of the two Bondi Beach shooters on Sunday.
The parents of Ahmed al Ahmed — the 43-year-old credited with disarming one of the gunmen at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach — have spoken about their son's bravery and the injuries he suffered while protecting others.
What Happened
Authorities say two attackers opened fire around 6:47 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Archer Park during a community Chanukah (Hanukkah) by the Sea festival attended by families and children. At least 15 people were killed and about 40 more were injured. Officials described the incident as a terrorist attack.
Ahmed’s Actions and Injuries
Video from the scene shows Ahmed taking cover behind a parked car before rushing a shooter, wrestling him to the ground and seizing his firearm. Ahmed then aimed the weapon back toward the attacker. He was later shot — sustaining wounds to his shoulder and hand — and underwent surgery. Ahmed remains hospitalized as he recovers.
DAVID GRAY / AFP via GettyA man reacts as he walks with police towards the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Family Reaction
"My son is a hero," said Ahmed's father, Mohammad Fatih Al-Ahmed, in an interview with CBS News. Mohammad — who arrived in Sydney with his wife from Syria two months ago — told reporters that Ahmed once served with police and has an instinct to protect others.
Mohammad described how seeing victims "on the ground covered in blood" compelled Ahmed to act: "His conscience and his morals compelled him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon." The family said a second attacker then shot Ahmed from a distance.
Ahmed's mother recalled the terror of learning her son was in hospital: "You know how a mother feels when she hears that her son is involved in an incident... When I learned the details, I was very proud that my son was helping people and saving lives."
Public Praise and Official Response
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called Ahmed a "real-life hero," posting a photo on Instagram of himself speaking with Ahmed in hospital and saying the man's courage likely saved many lives. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised Ahmed’s actions. Mohammad told reporters that he has received praise from across Australia and said — by his account — that former U.S. President Donald Trump thanked his son for his actions.
Suspects Identified
Local media and officials identified the shooters as 24-year-old Naveed Akram and 50-year-old Sajid Akram, reported to be father and son. Authorities later confirmed one attacker died at the scene and the other is in custody; investigations are ongoing.
The family and community continue to process the shock and grief from an attack that targeted a holiday gathering, while officials investigate the motives and circumstances surrounding the shooting.
