Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has become a multimillionaire as an outpouring of public support continues following Sunday’s horrific mass shooting.
More than $2.5 million USD has been raised for Al Ahmed, the courageous bystander who wrestled a gun away from one of the attackers during the deadly assault. Nearly 43,000 individual donations have poured into a crowdfunding campaign created in his honor, including a $99,999 contribution from American billionaire Bill Ackman.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed Al Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation,” the GoFundMe page reads. “His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice while protecting others.”
Overall, verified GoFundMe fundraisers for victims of the Bondi shooting and their families have now raised close to $5 million.
Nearly $780,000 has been donated to the family of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest of the 15 victims, who was laid to rest at a funeral service in Woollahra on Thursday. A fundraiser for Sofia, 61, and Boris Gurman, 69, both killed while trying to stop the attack, has raised $650,000. More than $360,000 has been collected for the family of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose funeral was held Wednesday.
Boris Tetleroyd, who was shot alongside his son during the Hanukkah gathering, was identified Wednesday as the 13th confirmed fatality, with a fundraiser for his family approaching $72,000. One victim has yet to be publicly identified.
Among the more than 41 people injured were two New South Wales police officers. Constable Scott Dyson, 24, suffered severe shoulder injuries, while Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, 22, lost his left eye. Nearly $36,000 has been raised to support Hibbert.
Authorities say alleged ISIS-inspired terrorists Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire on crowds at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach just before 7 p.m. Sunday, as more than 1,000 people gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah.
Al Ahmed, 42, was filmed charging at the older gunman and disarming him, an act credited with saving countless lives. He was shot twice during the confrontation and remains hospitalized.
Originally from Syria, Al Ahmed arrived in Australia in 2006 and is the owner of Cigara, a tobacco shop in the Sydney suburb of Sutherland. Early reports had mistakenly described him as a fruit shop owner.
NSW Premier Chris Minns personally visited Al Ahmed during his recovery and shared a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“Ahmed is a real-life hero,” Minns wrote. “His incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk. It was an honor to thank him on behalf of people across NSW.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also visited Al Ahmed at St George Hospital on Tuesday, spending about 30 minutes with him before addressing reporters.
“He is a true Australian hero,” Albanese said. “What he did was an act of pure courage. He’s a very humble man.”
Al Ahmed is expected to receive a bravery award, with Governor-General Sam Mostyn confirming he has already been nominated multiple times. She also revealed that King Charles personally asked her to convey his gratitude for Al Ahmed’s “absolute heroics.”
Local MP Simon Kennedy said he has nominated Al Ahmed for Australia’s highest bravery honor, the Cross of Valour, praising him for “single-handedly disarming a terrorist massacring innocent Jewish Australians.”
Speaking publicly for the first time from his hospital bed, Al Ahmed thanked supporters in Arabic.
“May Allah reward you and grant wellbeing,” he said, adding that only God knows the hardship he endured. He asked his mother to pray for his recovery and for an easing of the suffering.
Despite his injuries, Al Ahmed has said he does not regret his actions.
His migration lawyer, Sam Issa, told The Sydney Morning Herald that Al Ahmed’s condition remains serious and that doctors fear he may lose his arm.
“He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling,” Issa said, noting that Al Ahmed suffered about five gunshot wounds to his left arm, including one that lodged near his shoulder blade.
Issa added that Al Ahmed never sought attention. “He did what he felt compelled to do as a human being. This was his way of showing gratitude to Australia for giving him a home and citizenship.”
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