Ahmed al Ahmed, a 44-year-old Syrian-Australian shop owner, tackled and disarmed one of two gunmen who opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations near Bondi Beach, in footage that has been viewed worldwide. A grassroots campaign has raised roughly AU$2.3 million from about 40,000 donors, including an AU$99,000 pledge from William Ackman. Al Ahmed was shot multiple times, has undergone surgery and faces months of recovery; as a permanent resident he is covered by Australia’s national health care. The attack killed 15 people, and several other civilians who tried to intervene were also killed.
Bondi Hero: More Than AU$2.3 Million Raised After Ahmed al Ahmed Tackles Gunman
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who charged at one of the gunmen and seized his shotgun during the deadly attack on a Jewish event at Bondi Beach, at St George Hospital in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 16, 2025. / Credit: Australian Prime Minister's Office/Handout/REUTERS
Ahmed al Ahmed, a 44-year-old Syrian-Australian shop owner, has been widely hailed as a hero after footage showed him tackling one of two gunmen who opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations near Bondi Beach. The clip, viewed millions of times, shows al Ahmed moving between parked cars, charging a shooter, wresting a shotgun away and turning it on the attacker — an act that helped end that shooter’s rampage.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visits Ahmed al Ahmed, who hid behind parked cars before tackling and seizing a rifle from one of the gunmen during the deadly attack on a Jewish holiday gathering at Bondi Beach, in Sydney Australia, at a hospital in Sydney, Dec. 15, 2025, in a picture shared online by Minns. / Credit: Chris Minns via X/via REUTERS
Fundraising And Community Support
A grassroots fundraising campaign set up by strangers had attracted roughly 40,000 donors by Tuesday night, raising about AU$2.3 million (approximately US$1.5 million). Among the contributors was billionaire hedge fund manager William Ackman, who pledged AU$99,000. Floral tributes and messages of thanks have been left at the small convenience store al Ahmed runs opposite a suburban Sydney train station.
The uncle and cousin of Ahmed al-Ahmed, both named Mohammed al-Ahmed, look at video of Ahmed al-Ahmed, the bystander who disarmed a gunman during a shooting attack on a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in the town of Nayrab, in Syria's Idlib province, Dec. 16, 2025. / Credit: Mahmoud Hassano/REUTERS
Injuries, Recovery And Care
Al Ahmed was shot multiple times in his left arm, reportedly by the second gunman firing from a footbridge. He has already undergone surgery and is expected to need further operations. Lubaba Alhmidi Alkahil, a spokesperson for the Australians for Syria Association who visited him in hospital, described him as "quiet and humble," conscious but frail, and likely facing at least six months of recovery. As a permanent resident, al Ahmed is covered by Australia’s national, tax-funded health system and is unlikely to face medical bills.
Boris and Sofia Gurman are seen on dashcam video trying to stop the deadly terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Australia's Bondi Beach. / Credit: Jenny
Background
Al Ahmed grew up in Nayrab in Syria’s Idlib region and left Syria in 2006 after completing his studies, his cousin Mohammad al Ahmed told The Associated Press. His parents, who reunited with him in Sydney this year, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he had served with police and central security forces in Syria. His father described his son’s actions as driven by his "conscience and soul."
An undated family photo shared with CBS News by Sheina Gutnick shows her with her father, Reuven Morrison, 62, who was among the 15 people killed on Dec. 14, 2025, when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach in Australia. / Credit: Courtesy of Sheina Gutnick
Victims, Other Acts Of Courage And Official Reaction
The attack killed 15 people celebrating Hanukkah, and Australian authorities said the suspects included an Australian resident who arrived from India in 1998 and his Australian-born son. Other civilians who tried to intervene were also killed, including a married couple, Boris and Sofia Gurman, and 62-year-old Reuven Morrison. Morrison can be seen in footage throwing objects at an attacker after al Ahmed disarmed one of the gunmen, before being shot by the second attacker.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised al Ahmed, saying he "represents the best of our country." New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said al Ahmed saved "countless" lives. World figures and officials have called him a hero; global and national leaders have visited or offered support as the community mourns.
"At a moment where we have seen evil perpetrated, he shines out as an example of the strength of humanity," — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
As Australia seeks solace after one of its deadliest hate-fuelled incidents, stories of selflessness and bravery have dominated public discussion and provided a measure of hope amid grief.
