The fear that gripped Ahmed Al Ahmed as he disarmed the Bondi gunman
Ahmed Al Ahmed feared police would shoot him while holding a rifle during the Bondi Beach attack.
Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the gunmen during the Bondi Beach attack, has revealed the fear that gripped him even as he acted heroically. In his book Light Will Win, Al Ahmed wrote: "I'm realistic, I'm a Middle Eastern man with a rifle in the middle of an attack in the Jewish community.
I was scared the police would shoot before asking questions." When he heard screaming, he charged the gunman while he was loading the next bullet and slammed into him with all his strength.
A second shooter then shot Al Ahmed five times, including twice to the shoulder, only missing his heart by about 5 centimetres. Al Ahmed said his only goal was to disarm the attacker and save lives.
He was shot five times during the attack but survived.
- Bondi Beach
- Location
- Light Will Win
- Book title
- Father of two girls
- Family
Why it mattersAl Ahmed's account reveals the split-second decisions and fears faced by ordinary people trying to stop mass violence, and the additional danger he faced because of how he might be perceived.
AustraliaThe Bondi Beach massacre was one of Australia's most significant attacks in recent years, and Al Ahmed remains a symbol of civilian courage during the tragedy.
Corroborated byThe Nightly
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