Newsletters
A 43-year-old greengrocer who wrestled a hunting rifle from one of two gunmen during a mass shooting at Bondi Beach has emerged as the central figure in witness accounts of the attack that left 11 people dead and 29 injured.
Ahmed el Ahmed was shot twice while charging at one of the attackers from behind and seizing the weapon, according to Australian news outlet News.com.au. Video footage captured the moments when the father of two tackled the gunman and removed the rifle, potentially preventing further casualties in the Saturday attack at one of Sydney's most iconic beaches.
El Ahmed, who has no prior firearms training, was transported to a hospital for treatment and was scheduled for surgery Saturday night, his cousin Mustafa told 7News at the hospital.
The assault in the New South Wales coastal city wounded 29 people, including two police officers. One suspect died during the incident, while a second injured suspect was taken into custody, authorities said.
Footage of el Ahmed's intervention has circulated widely on Australian social media platforms, with members of the public characterizing his actions as heroic. The images show the moment he approached the armed attacker at a run before physically engaging to disarm him.
Australian media outlets and public discourse have focused heavily on the greengrocer's quick response during the chaotic scene at the popular beach destination.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the shooting at a press conference, stating that the attack appeared to target Jewish Australians. The assessment raises questions about the motives behind the assault at the beach location.
Representatives of Australia's Muslim community issued statements condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with those affected by the shooting and their families.
Australia has maintained relatively strict firearms regulations since implementing major gun control reforms following a 1996 mass shooting in Tasmania. The country's gun laws require licensing, registration, and restrict certain categories of weapons, contributing to lower rates of gun violence compared to other developed nations.
Mass casualty events remain rare in Australia, making attacks of this scale particularly shocking to the public and prompting intensive law enforcement responses.
1 min read
1 min read
