‘A genuine hero’: Unarmed Muslim bystander filmed disarming Sydney terrorist
Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, a local fruit vendor and father of 2, hailed as ‘hero’ by Netanyahu and Albanese after wrestling rifle from gunman during shooting
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleA bystander was filmed tackling and disarming a gunman during Sunday’s terror attack on a Hanukkah event in Sydney, with media naming him as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim father of two who owns a local produce store.
At least 15 people were killed and dozens were wounded when two gunmen opened fire on the event held at the Australian city’s iconic Bondi Beach.
Dramatic footage showed the unarmed Ahmed wrestling the weapon from one of the two gunmen, before pointing the attacker’s weapon at him.
According to Ahmed’s cousin, he was shot twice in the arm during the altercation, and was taken to a local hospital for surgery.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” the cousin, named only as Mustafa, told 7News. “We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero, 100 percent.”
According to the Australian outlet, Ahmed had no experience with guns prior to the incident, and was shot by the second gunman, who was perched on a nearby footbridge, after succeeding in taking the gun from the first assailant.
A man who disarmed a terrorist has been identified as a Muslim named Ahmed Al Ahmad during an attack on a Jewish event in Sydney.
He prevented further harm to Jews. pic.twitter.com/OvU0y0iQq4
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 14, 2025
Before Ahmed was identified, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to his act of bravery as “the pinnacle of… heroism.” Netanyahu reiterated his statement at Sunday’s cabinet meeting, saying: “We saw the action of a brave man… a brave Muslim, and I salute him for stopping one of the terrorists from killing innocent Jews.”
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, the Australian state that includes Sydney, called the footage of Ahmed tackling the gunman from behind “the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen.”
NEW: The man who disarmed one of the Sydney attackers has been identified 43-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed.
Ahmed, who is being hailed a hero for his actions, was shot 2 times. He's expected to be ok. pic.twitter.com/pDe0StPeCg
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 14, 2025
“That man is a genuine hero,” he added, “and I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
In his response to the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised “everyday Australians who, without hesitating, put themselves in danger in order to keep their fellow Australians safe.” He added, “These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.”
The shooting took place during a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where some 2,000 people had gathered to mark the first night of the Jewish holiday.
The two assailants opened fire on the crowd with rifles, killing at least 15, including a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and at least one Israeli, according to authorities. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers.
Eyewitnesses said they heard around 50 shots as the shooting went on for around 10 minutes. One gunman was killed, and a second was taken into custody in serious condition, Australian authorities said.
The attackers’ identities were not immediately confirmed.
The attack was one of the deadliest attacks targeting Jews outside Israel in decades and the worst on Jews abroad since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
JTA contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.