A Sydney father-of-two is being praised as a hero after risking his life to take down a gunman during a horrifying mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, owns a fruit shop in Sutherland and had no experience with firearms when he stepped into the line of fire.
But that didn’t stop him from leaping into action in what’s now being called an act of incredible bravery.
Ahmed was shot twice during the confrontation and is currently recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” his cousin Mustafa told 7News.
“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 per cent.”
Caught in the chaos, Ahmed made a split-second decision
Footage captured the moment Ahmed, dressed in a white shirt, crouched behind a car in a Bondi Beach carpark just metres from one of the shooters.
As gunfire erupted, he waited for the right moment, then sprinted through the parked cars and grabbed the shooter in a headlock from behind.
The struggle lasted around five seconds before Ahmed successfully wrestled the gun away. The gunman stumbled back, and Ahmed pointed the weapon at him as he backed off toward a nearby bridge.
Video later showed Ahmed sitting on the ground with a visible leg injury while bystanders rushed to help. One man brought over a towel to stem the bleeding, and responders were seen supporting him from behind.
Despite being wounded, Ahmed managed to place the gun safely against a tree.
Second shooter killed as gunfire exchanges with police
The second gunman, seen on the raised bridge nearby, was ducking and firing at police as he gestured wildly for his disarmed partner to return, per News.com.au.
Ahmed, still crouched by the tree, was joined by another man who was then shot as the chaos unfolded.
Soon after, an officer flanked the bridge and fired at the second shooter, killing him on the spot. The surviving gunman was taken into custody with injuries.
Additional footage showed police performing CPR on the fatally shot attacker while others treated the second suspect.
Another disturbing video showed police helping two injured men on the ground. A shotgun lay beneath one of them alongside multiple spent shells.
The tragic scene unfolded on Bondi Beach. Credit: George Chan / Getty
Tragedy strikes Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach
The shooting took place during a Jewish celebration called Chanukah By The Sea.
A brochure invited people to gather at Bondi Beach Park near the children’s playground at 5:00PM.
The beach was also packed due to the Bondi Christmas markets.
In total, 12 people are dead – including one of the gunmen – and 29 are in hospital following what authorities believe was a targeted attack.
NSW Police issued a statement at 9pm on Sunday: “A police operation is ongoing after a public place shooting by two men at Bondi Beach earlier today.
“Ten people have been confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the shooters. The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.
“At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers.
“Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade about 6.45pm (Sunday 14 December 2025), responding to reports of shots being fired.
“Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended assisted by multiple resources across the city.
“A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place.
“A multi-agency response is continuing.
“An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now underway. There have been NO reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident.
“Police are now appealing for anyone with mobile phone vision or dashcam vision relevant to this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
