SYDNEY, Australia — In the wake of one of the darkest days in recent Australian history, a story of extraordinary courage has emerged, capturing the attention of world leaders and prompting one of the world’s wealthiest men to make a massive financial gesture.
Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old local fruit shop owner and father of two, has been hailed as a global hero after risking his life to disarm a terrorist during the horrific mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday night. His bravery, which undoubtedly saved countless lives during a Hanukkah celebration, has been recognized by billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who has donated a staggering sum to support the injured hero.
A Light in the Darkness: The Heroic Act
The incident unfolded on a Sunday night at the iconic Bondi Beach, typically known for its golden sands and surf culture. The atmosphere was festive as the community gathered to mark Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. However, the celebration turned into a nightmare when two gunmen, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, opened fire on the crowd.
Amidst the chaos and panic, while most sought cover, Ahmed al Ahmed made a split-second decision that defied the instinct of self-preservation.
Video footage circulating on media platforms captures the heart-stopping moment. Mr. Ahmed is seen crouching behind the elder gunman, Sajid Akram, in Bondi Park. As the shooter unloaded his high-calibre weapon toward the innocent crowd, Mr. Ahmed lunged.
In a display of immense physical courage, the fruit shop owner tackled the terrorist. With one arm wrapped firmly around the killer’s shoulder, he used his other hand to wrestle the rifle from the gunman’s grip. The footage shows Akram falling to the ground, disarmed and vulnerable, as Mr. Ahmed points the seized weapon back at him, effectively neutralizing the immediate threat from the elder attacker.
While the second gunman, Naveed, scurried away, the intervention created a crucial window of time that allowed others to escape. However, heroism came at a cost. Mr. Ahmed was shot twice—once in the arm and once in the hand—before the ordeal ended.
Billionaire Bill Ackman Steps In
The story of the “Bondi Hero” traveled rapidly across the globe, reaching the United States and catching the eye of Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Ackman, a prominent Jewish investment banker with a net worth exceeding $9.5 billion, was deeply moved by Mr. Ahmed’s selfless defense of the Jewish community members attending the event.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ackman publicly requested a way to send funds to the hero.
“Can someone please set up a verified [GoFundMe] so we can reward him and his family?” Ackman wrote.
The internet responded quickly. A GoFundMe page titled “Support the hero who disarmed the Bondi attacker” was established to cover Mr. Ahmed’s medical expenses and support his family during his recovery. True to his word, Ackman made a donation of $99,999.
In a statement regarding the donation, Ackman emphasized the universality of the hero’s actions:
“After witnessing the extraordinary actions of the hero who helped disarm one of the attackers during the Bondi tragedy, an act that prevented the loss of countless more lives, we felt compelled to act. In a moment of chaos and danger, he stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety.”
Ackman later shared the link to his millions of followers, ensuring that the funds would be released directly to Mr. Ahmed. As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had already surpassed $250,000, a testament to the global outpouring of gratitude.
Global Praise: From The White House to Jerusalem
Mr. Ahmed’s actions have transcended borders, drawing praise from some of the most powerful figures in international politics and media.
Donald Trump’s Statement
Donald Trump, the former US President, weighed in on the events in Sydney. Known for his candid remarks, Trump expressed deep admiration for the fruit shop owner.
“A very brave person actually who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives,” Trump said in a statement. “A very brave person who is right now in the hospital and seriously wounded. Great respect to the man who did that.”
Recognition from Israel
The significance of a non-Jewish man risking his life to save Jewish worshippers during a religious holiday was not lost on the global Jewish community. Zvika Klein, the editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, penned a moving op-ed suggesting that Mr. Ahmed’s bravery deserved the highest honors Israel could bestow.
“If there is a Jewish Nobel for saving Jews, Ahmed al-Ahmed just won it,” Klein wrote. He went further, suggesting that the State of Israel should officially acknowledge him, potentially as a laureate of the Genesis Prize, an award typically reserved for Jewish individuals who have attained excellence and international renown.
The Power of Social Media Support
While Bill Ackman’s donation headlined the fundraising efforts, the support for Mr. Ahmed has been a collective effort driven by social media influencers and everyday Australians.
- Anna Paul: The prominent Australian social media influencer was among the top donors, contributing $15,000 to a fund supporting Mr. Ahmed and other victims.
- Harry Jowsey: The television personality, known for his reality TV appearances, donated $10,000 to the fund started by fitness entrepreneur Adam Sullivan.
GoFundMe has since launched a centralized “hub” for verified Bondi Beach fundraisers to ensure that scammers do not take advantage of the public’s generosity—a common issue in the aftermath of high-profile disasters.
Medical Update and Community Confusion
Following the attack, Mr. Ahmed was rushed to St George Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for the gunshot wounds to his arm and hand.
His cousin, Mustafa, provided a brief update to 7News Australia, offering reassurance to the anxious public. “Still he is in hospital and we don’t know exactly what is going on, the doctor says he is OK,” Mustafa said. “We hope he is okay, he is a hero, 100 per cent he is a hero.”
Current reports indicate that Mr. Ahmed is in stable condition, though he faces a long road to physical and emotional recovery.
Misplaced Good Will
In the rush to thank the hero, some well-wishers inadvertently targeted the wrong business. A wave of support flooded the Facebook page of “Sutherland Best Fresh,” a fruit shop that many mistakenly believed belonged to Mr. Ahmed.
The business was forced to issue a clarification on Monday morning to set the record straight while sharing in the communal grief. “There has been a miscommunication… on where this great Australian hero’s fruit shop location is. We do not know who Ahmed is, nor the location of his fruit shop,” the shop posted.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Resistance
While the focus remains on the miraculous bravery of Ahmed al Ahmed, the event itself was a catastrophe of heartbreaking proportions. At least 16 people lost their lives when Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire.
As Mr. Ahmed recovers in St George Hospital, he does so not just as a survivor, but as a symbol of resistance against terror. The financial reward provided by Bill Ackman and thousands of others cannot erase the trauma of that night, but it sends a powerful message: that the world watches, remembers, and rewards those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
