Over $2 million raised for Bondi Beach hero who tackled gunman and saved lives

A brave man who risked his life to stop a deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach has captured hearts across Australia and beyond—raising over $2 million in public donations.

On Sunday, December 14, Sydney’s Bondi Beach became the scene of a shocking terror attack. Two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating Hanukkah, killing at least 15 people and injuring many others.

The attack, now officially declared an act of terrorism, happened during a peaceful gathering of over 1,000 people. Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, a British rabbi, a former police officer, and a French national.

The Bondi terror attack hero recovering in hospital. Get well soon, Ahmed. 👍 pic.twitter.com/alTb9AAB4I

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— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 15, 2025

Police have identified the attackers as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. Sajid died at the scene, while Naveed remains in critical condition. Authorities say the pair acted alone and had been interviewed by security services in 2019.

The man who stopped a massacre

In the chaos and fear, one man stepped forward with incredible courage: 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed. Caught on video and now widely shared online, Ahmed was seen leaping onto one of the gunmen, wrestling the weapon away, and turning it on the attacker.

According to his family, Ahmed had just been out for coffee when he heard gunshots. Without hesitation, he took action that likely prevented even more deaths. He was shot twice—in the arm and hand—during the struggle and is now recovering in hospital.

His cousin, Mustafa, shared: “He is a hero, 100 percent. He has two shots, one in his arm and one in his hand.”

👀🇦🇺 An Australian bystander tackling one of the shooters in Sidney, disarming him, and then shooting him with his own shotgun.

Brave man. pic.twitter.com/6LTOXUhsRg

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— Molo44 🇮🇹🇺🇦 (@MoloWarMonitor) December 14, 2025

Support pours in from around the world

Since the incident, Ahmed’s bravery has been praised by leaders and citizens alike. U.S. President Donald Trump called him “very brave,” and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited him personally, calling him a “real-life hero.”

A GoFundMe page set up to support Ahmed quickly went viral, collecting over $2 million in just days. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman contributed $99,000, calling the act “selfless and heroic.”

The fundraiser reads:
“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.”

A hero without borders

Ahmed, a Syrian immigrant who moved to Australia in 2006, runs a fruit shop and is a father of two. His father shared that Ahmed didn’t think about religion or nationality when he jumped in to help—he simply wanted to save lives.

Ahmed is a real-life hero. Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.

It was an honour to spend time with him just now and to pass on the thanks of people across NSW. pic.twitter.com/3xNBW8vxvZ

— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) December 15, 2025

“When he did what he did, he wasn’t thinking about the background of the people he’s saving… Especially here in Australia, there’s no difference between one citizen and another,” his father said.

Ahmed’s family remains hopeful about his recovery. “I hope he will be fine,” said Mustafa. “We’re waiting to see what the doctor says.”

Premier Minns added: “There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed’s selfless courage.”

In a moment of terror, one man’s brave decision changed everything. Ahmed al Ahmed is now being celebrated not just for stopping a gunman, but for reminding us what true heroism looks like—ordinary people doing extraordinary things, without fear or favor.

Would you risk your life for a stranger? Ahmed did—and the world won’t forget.