sz. Risking His Life to Save Others at Bondi, a Fruit Shop Owner Receives Global Support

Ahmed Al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner in Sydney, was shot multiple times while trying to save others during a mass shooting in Australia. His extraordinary bravery has been met with an unprecedented wave of support.

Australia is reeling from grief after the deadly terrorist attack in Bondi, but amid the tragedy, the image of one man running toward danger to protect strangers has ignited hope and inspired people around the world.

That man is Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner from Sutherland Shire, now widely hailed as the “Bondi hero.” He is being praised for bravely confronting one of the gunmen and attempting to disarm him — an act that left Ahmed shot multiple times.

As Ahmed remains hospitalized and undergoes treatment, tributes and messages of gratitude have poured in across Australia and beyond.

Within just hours, an online fundraising campaign raised nearly half a million US dollars, including a notable donation of almost $100,000 from American billionaire and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, according to Yahoo News.

A video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) captured the heart-stopping moment when a bystander tackled one of the two suspects involved in the Bondi shooting, wresting a firearm from him. The attack left at least 16 people dead and more than 40 injured, making it the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

A Hero Without Borders

The attack occurred on December 14 in the Bondi area, where two suspects — identified as a father and son — opened fire on crowds of families gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

According to his family, Ahmed had been sitting at a café with friends when he heard gunshots. Realizing that one of the gunmen appeared to be hiding behind a tree and had possibly run out of ammunition, Ahmed rushed in from behind, struggled with the attacker, and managed to seize a long firearm.

The footage of the incident spread rapidly across the world, broadcast by international media outlets and drawing more than 22 million views on social media. In the video, another civilian is seen rushing in to help, throwing objects at the attacker and forcing him to flee.

However, Ahmed paid a heavy price for his courage. He was shot multiple times in the shoulder, hand, and arm. His family says four to five bullets remain lodged in his body.

Ahmed’s cousin, Mustafa, described him as “an absolute hero.” Speaking to the media, he said Ahmed remains in pain and is awaiting further surgeries.

“He is seriously injured, but incredibly strong,” Mustafa said.

Ahmed’s parents, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed and Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed, arrived in Australia from Syria only a few months ago and had little time to reunite with their son, who has lived in Australia since 2006.

“I cried so much when I heard he’d been shot,” Malakeh said. “He saw people dying. When the gunman ran out of bullets, he went for the gun. He was shot — but he saved so many lives.”

Mohamed said his son never considered race or religion.

“When he did it, he wasn’t thinking about whether he was saving Jews, Muslims, or anyone else,” he said. “In Australia, everyone is equal.”

Ahmed is the father of two young daughters, aged three and six.

Honored by the World

While Ahmed continues to recover in hospital, Australians have rallied in extraordinary fashion. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Car Hub Australia quickly gained national attention. Donations surpassed $250,000 within hours, rising by thousands of dollars every minute.

By Monday afternoon, the total approached $500,000, and within 12 hours it exceeded $550,000.

“This campaign was created to express gratitude and support for someone who showed unimaginable courage at a moment when it mattered most,” Car Hub Australia said. The organization also pledged an initial $50,000 contribution to “set an example and honor a true hero.”

In a moment defined by violence and loss, Ahmed Al-Ahmed’s actions have become a powerful reminder that courage, compassion, and humanity can still rise — even in the darkest of hours.