Ahmed al-Ahmed’s heroic actions on Bondi Beach earned him global praise.
But bravery came at a steep cost for the man himself.
Now, the hero’s lawyer shares a new update on Ahmed’s condition — and it’s heartbreaking to read.
Confronted the gunman
Ahmed al-Ahmed, the 43-year-old Syrian-born tobacconist, has been hailed worldwide for his bravery during the horrific Bondi Beach attack in Sydney on Sunday, December 14.
When two gunmen opened fire on a crowd, Ahmed rushed into action, tackling and disarming one of the terrorist — a courageous act that likely saved countless lives.
Before confronting the gunman, the 43-year-old warned his cousin of the danger:
“He said: ‘I’m going to die – please see my family and tell them that I went down to save people’s lives,’” Jozay Alkanj told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Video footage of his heroic actions went viral online, but in the process of stopping the shooter, Ahmed was shot twice.
He has been receiving intensive treatment in hospital since then.
No feeling in his arm
“At this stage, he says he has no feeling in his arm,” his lawyer Sam Issa told the Daily Mail in one of the first updates.
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Ahmed’s lawyer then shared another heartbreaking update on the father-of-two.
On Thursday, December 18, Issa said:
“Ahmed had recently undergone a very complex operation which involved nerve damage and is currently in a lot of discomfort today, naturally.”
He added that Ahmed is preparing for another eight-hour surgery the following day.
Earlier this week, Ahmed addressed the public from his hospital bed, sending prayers in Arabic [translated]:
“I appreciate the efforts of everyone. May Allah reward you and grant you wellbeing. God willing, we will return to you with joy. Thank you for your efforts.” He also added a personal message to his mother: “I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it … I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me.”
X/Anthony Albanese
Ahmed’s heroism has drawn high-profile visitors to his bedside, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who told him: “You’re very strong. Your heart is strong. Your courage is inspiring.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also paid tribute, saying: “It’s the most unbelievable scene I’ve ever seen. A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people. That man is a genuine hero. I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
$2.5 million has been raised
The video footage of Ahmed’s heroic actions went viral online, inspiring a fundraiser that has now raised over $2.5 million from more than 42,000 donations.
Tragically, 15 people were killed in the attack, along with one of the alleged gunmen, 50-year-old Sajid Akram. Authorities have described it as the deadliest attack in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, leaving a nation in mourning.
Police have charged the surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
He also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, one count of discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one count of placing an explosive in or near a building, and a charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organization symbol.