In the aftermath of the horrifying attack on Bondi Beach, the world has turned its eyes to the valor of Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father who intervened to stop the massacre. On Sunday evening, as terror descended upon the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration, Mr. al-Ahmed tackled gunman Sajid Akram, disarming him in a moment captured by onlookers' cameras. The footage revealed a critical juncture where al-Ahmed, despite holding the assailant's rifle, refrained from pulling the trigger.
Dr. John Coyne, a seasoned expert in counter-terrorism, offered insight on Tuesday as to why al-Ahmed made the conscious decision not to fire. Dr. Coyne, who holds a decade of experience with the Australian Federal Police and is now the director of the National Security Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, pointed to al-Ahmed's fundamental sense of humanity. He acknowledged the extreme difficulty of such a split-second judgment, especially when no immediate danger is present. Coyne's respect was evident as he commended al-Ahmed's ability to make "real decisions" during such a critical moment.
By the time al-Ahmed had the firearm, Akram was already incapacitated on the ground, posing no immediate threat. This context likely influenced al-Ahmed's decision, as Coyne noted that even trained military or law enforcement officers would probably have acted similarly. Coyne also mentioned that al-Ahmed did not seem familiar with firearms, which may have played a role in his response.
The incident at Bondi Beach, which claimed the lives of 15 individuals, including a young girl, and left dozens injured, has sparked a national conversation on heroism and humanity. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, were identified as the attackers who unleashed terror from a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion. Following a tip, ABC News reported that the Akrams had traveled to the southern Philippines for alleged military-style training in November.
Mr. al-Ahmed, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the confrontation, is currently receiving treatment at St George Hospital. His former migration lawyer, Sam Issa, visited him and revealed the gravity of his injuries, noting that al-Ahmed had undergone multiple surgeries and was struggling with the pain. Despite his suffering, al-Ahmed expressed to visitors that he would act the same if given another chance.
The hero's courageous act has not gone unnoticed. Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Donald Trump have publicly praised al-Ahmed's bravery. A GoFundMe campaign in support of al-Ahmed has remarkably reached $1 million. A tweet by Mario Nawfal documents al-Ahmed's selfless mindset as he told his cousin, "I'm going to die. Tell my family I saved people's lives," before charging at the gunman.
