ISLAMABAD: Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit seller, emerged as a central figure in Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in years after confronting and disarming a gunman during a deadly attack on a Jewish gathering celebrating Hanukkah.
Footage circulating on social media shows Ahmed rushing toward the armed attacker as shots are fired off-camera. He is seen grabbing the gunman, wrestling the weapon from his hands, and forcing the assailant to retreat at gunpoint.
Australian broadcaster 7News identified Ahmed as the man in the video and reported that he sustained two gunshot wounds during the struggle. He is currently hospitalized.
A relative, identified only as Mustapha, confirmed Ahmed’s condition and praised his actions. “He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” he said. “We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent.”
Authorities said the attack killed 16 people and wounded many others. Police described the shooting as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
Australian leaders publicly praised Ahmed’s actions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him and others who intervened as “heroes.” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns echoed that sentiment during a late-night briefing.
“In all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger,” Minns said.
Ahmed’s actions also drew international attention. US President Donald Trump publicly commended him, saying his intervention prevented further bloodshed.
“It’s been a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters, and saved a lot of lives,” Trump said, adding that Ahmed “is right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded.”
As investigations continue, Ahmed al Ahmed is being widely recognized across Australia as a civilian who risked his life to stop a gunman and protect others.
