On Sunday night, astonishing video footage captured the brave actions of Sydney father-of-two, Ahmed el Ahmed, as he confronted a shooter. In a moment of sheer courage, Ahmed approached one of the gunmen, managed to disarm him, and took control of the weapon.
Despite having the gun in hand, the fruit shop owner chose not to fire it. Unfortunately, in the ensuing chaos, Ahmed was injured by subsequent gunfire. He is currently recovering from surgery at St George Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, as his heroism garners international praise.
“He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he’d do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him,” shared Sam Issa, Ahmed’s immigration lawyer, with the Sydney Morning Herald after visiting him on Monday.
Issa added, “He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.”
By late Monday night, a crowdfunding campaign launched for Ahmed had already raised over $1.2 million, reflecting the public’s admiration and support for his courageous act.
By late on Monday night, more than $1.2 million had already been donated for Ahmed via a crowdfunding site set up for the hero.
Prominent US billionaire Bill Ackman is believed to be among the donors.
The hedge fund manager had called for someone to set up a donations page for Ahmed.
“Can someone please set up a verified (donation page) so we can reward him and his family,” Ackman wrote.
Ackman then donated $99,000 to the page.
Ahmed’s family spoke to media this morning, describing him as a “hero”.
“Maybe he can lose his life to save the other people,” his cousin said of Ahmed’s courageous efforts.
“I hope everyone in Australia wish everything is good for Ahmed to go back to his family.”
The cousin confirmed Ahmed had two daughters, aged five and six, but said he had not had the chance to speak to him yet.
“To be honest, I don’t speak to his family (yet), because I leave here very late last night,” he said.
“Until now, I don’t sleep yet.”
Ahmed’s actions have been praised in Australia and around the world, including by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ahmed hid behind a silver vehicle and crept towards the apparent gunman before leaping towards him and putting him in a headlock.
He wrestled with the gunman until he released the weapon.
Ahmed then turned the weapon on the gunman.
The heroic man did not fire the gun but signalled for assistance.
‘Scariest thing’: Man who filmed heroic act was at scene as shooting began
The man who recorded the footage of Ahmed disarming the gunman revealed he was initially on the beach when the shooting began
Theodore Okur described on Today how he fled the scene and subsequently caught Ahmed’s actions from his apartment.
“I was going towards the beach to get some barbecue. When the shooting began on the bridge, the guy was 10 metres in front of me,” he said.
He revealed he saw the gunmen target the Jewish ceremony and initially believed the shots were fireworks.
”It was the scariest thing that happened in my life,” he said.
Okur said he couldn’t believe the footage he was recording, but said Ahmed was a hero.
“I’m very lucky to witness this,” he said.
“Being the only person who filmed this scene, which is extremely scary.”
