“When he leaped at the assailant… his sole focus was on protecting others,” expressed Al-Asaad to BBC Arabic during a late-night interview.

“In the midst of gunfire, thoughts of danger or death didn’t cross his mind,” Al-Asaad continued, painting a picture of courage.

By Monday evening, an online campaign celebrating the small business owner’s heroism had amassed over $1 million in donations.

Of the two gunmen involved, 24-year-old Naveed Akram is currently in police custody, while his father, 50-year-old Sajid, was fatally shot.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking on Nova Radio, announced plans to visit the hospital to meet the “hero bystander” who courageously disarmed one of the alleged shooters.

Albanese hailed Ahmed Al-Ahmed as “a hero who deserves recognition,” highlighting the bravery displayed during the incident. Source: AAP / Steven Markham

Anthony Albanese has described Ahmed Al-Ahmed as ” a hero that needs to be recognised”. Source: AAP / Steven Markham

“It was extraordinary, that footage of essentially creeping up behind a gunman who’s involved in a mass shooting, and he was unarmed, and as a consequence he was shot twice as well, which is why he is in hospital,” he said.