SYDNEY, Dec 15 — Australians are praising a “hero” whose courageous confrontation with a gunman on Sunday resulted in the disarming of an attacker during the country’s deadliest mass shooting in years.
SYDNEY, Dec 15 — Australians are praising a “hero” whose courageous confrontation with a gunman on Sunday resulted in the disarming of an attacker during the country’s deadliest mass shooting in years.
The man’s bravery also drew international attention, earning praise from US President Donald Trump, who said his actions “saved a lot of lives” during the attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
After the shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, social media footage surfaced showing a man putting his life at risk by seizing one of the gunmen while shots were being fired at people outside the camera’s view. The footage shows him wrestling the firearm from the attacker before turning it on the gunman, who then retreats.
Australian broadcaster 7News identified the man as 43-year-old fruit seller Ahmed al Ahmed, reporting that he sustained two gunshot wounds. The outlet quoted his cousin, Mustapha, as saying Ahmed had been hospitalised.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s happening inside,” Mustapha said. “We hope he will be fine. He’s a hero, 100 per cent.”
The dramatic video quickly went viral, with Ahmed widely lauded online for his bravery and swift action, with many saying he likely saved numerous lives.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him and others involved as “heroes”, a sentiment echoed by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.
“In the midst of such evil and sadness, there are still brave Australians willing to risk their lives to help complete strangers,” Minns said at a late-night press conference on Sunday.
Authorities said 16 people were killed and many others injured in what police have described as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
From the White House, Trump also expressed his admiration and “great respect” for the man who disarmed the gunman.
“He was incredibly brave — confronting one of the shooters head-on and saving a lot of lives,” Trump said, adding that the man was “currently in hospital with serious injuries.” — AFP
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