Bondi shooting: Prime Minister Albanese meets with Ahmed Al Ahmed, hero who disarmed gunman

Tegwen Bescoby
The Nightly
Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old shop owner from the Shire originally from Syria, tackled a gunman at Bondi Beach and wrestled away his rifle during a terrorist attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with the hero who courageously disarmed one of the shooters during Sunday’s horrific Bondi Beach terror attack.

Ahmed Al Ahmed heroically intervened as two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 innocent people.

Footage showing Mr Ahmed wrestling a weapon from one of the shooters quickly went viral after the attack.

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The 43-year-old has been at St George Hospital in Sydney’s southeast since the attack, receiving treatment for multiple gunshot wounds he sustained during the attack.

Mr Albanese shared a video to Facebook on Tuesday morning of him shaking Mr Ahmed’s hand, calling the shop owner an “Australian hero” for his actions on Sunday.

“You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist,” he said.

“In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night.

“On behalf of every Australian, I say thank you.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with Bondi shooting hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed in hospital today. Picture: Unknown
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with Bondi shooting hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed in hospital today. Unknown Credit: Unknown/PMO

Speaking to journalists after the visit, the Prime Minister said it was a “great honour” to meet him.

“He went through his thought process as he saw the atrocities unfold.

“He decided to take action and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians.”

Mr Albanese also said he has met with Mr Ahmed’s “proud” parents, who are visiting from Syria.

The visit comes after a video of Mr Ahmed speaking from his hospital bed begun circulating earlier on Tuesday.

In the clip, translated by TRT World, he said he “appreciated the efforts of everyone”.

“God willing, it will be a minor injury — pray for me that Allah eases our situation, and deliver us from this hardship,” he said in Arabic.

There has been an outpouring of support nationally for Mr Ahmed , with more than 30,000 donors raising $2.1 million to honour his bravery.

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