Who is Ahmed al-Ahmed? The Syrian fruit seller who heroically stopped the Bondi Beach shooter

The attack occurred during a Jewish Hanukkah gathering and left 15 people dead and at least 42 injured. Police have identified the suspects as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son. The older suspect was shot and killed by police at the scene. Authorities are treating the incident as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack.

Footage from the scene shows al-Ahmed grabbing one of the gunmen from behind, forcing him to the ground and taking his weapon. He is then seen pointing the gun at the suspect, who later fled.

Background and identity

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that al-Ahmed is an Australian citizen of Syrian origin. Family members say he comes from al-Nayrab village near Idlib in Syria and migrated to Australia in 2006. He lives in Sydney, where he runs a fruit shop, and is married with two children.

His brother, Huthaifa al-Ahmed, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Ahmed was nearby when the shooting began and intervened immediately. “I’m really proud of my brother,” he said. Al-Ahmed was shot twice during the incident and sustained serious injuries. He was taken to St George Hospital in Kogarah, New South Wales, where he is undergoing treatment and further surgery. Albanese visited him in hospital on Tuesday, describing his actions as an example of national unity. “Ahmed al-Ahmed took the gun off that perpetrator at great risk to himself,” the prime minister said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also praised al-Ahmed, calling him a “real-life hero” whose actions helped prevent further loss of life. 

Al-Ahmed’s intervention has been widely commended in Australia and internationally. A fundraising campaign set up to support him and his family has raised more than $218,000. However, misinformation also circulated online following the attack, with false claims about al-Ahmed’s religion and identity. These claims were later corrected by Australian authorities.