A father of two told his cousin he was about to die before charging an active shooter at Bondi Beach, disarming the gunman in an act of extraordinary courage that authorities say saved countless lives.
Ahmed el Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner originally from Syria, confronted one of two shooters who opened fire on a crowded Hanukkah celebration Sunday night.
The attack left at least 16 people dead, including a ten-year-old girl, with dozens more seriously injured.
In the moments before his heroic intervention, Ahmed spoke what he believed would be his final words to his cousin Jozay Alkanj.
“He said ‘I’m going to die, please see my family and tell them that I went down to save people’s lives,’” Alkanj recounted outside the hospital Monday morning, according to the Daily Mail.
The two men had been walking past the Hanukkah event when attendees offered them food.
They declined, choosing instead to get coffee. Just ten minutes later, gunfire erupted.
“We needed a coffee,” Alkanj said.
“It was then just ten minutes before this happened like that. It was very crazy, we went behind the cars, we were seeing that people were shooting very near to us.”
Dramatic footage captured Ahmed’s approach as he crept through the car park along Campbell Parade.
The video shows him using parked vehicles as cover while advancing toward the active shooter.
Once close enough, Ahmed sprinted directly at the gunman.
The two engaged in a prolonged physical struggle before Ahmed successfully wrested the firearm away.
The shooter, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, fell backward as Ahmed gained control of the rifle.
Ahmed then aimed the weapon at the disarmed attacker.
Akram retreated as Ahmed placed the rifle against a nearby tree.
Another bystander then rushed forward and threw an object at the shooter.
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The confrontation occurred within view of a second alleged gunman, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, the first shooter’s son.
Naveed watched from a nearby footbridge while holding his own weapon.
Police shot and killed Sajid Akram at the scene.
Naveed was taken to hospital under police guard with critical injuries.
Ahmed sustained two gunshot wounds to his shoulder during the altercation.
He remained hospitalized under observation as of Monday.
The widely circulated footage of Ahmed’s actions prompted supporters to launch a GoFundMe campaign.
The fundraiser has collected nearly $1 million from over 5,000 donors, including a $100,000 contribution from US billionaire Bill Ackman.
The shooting occurred as hundreds gathered for the Jewish Chanukah by the Sea event, celebrating the first day of Hanukkah.
The attack represents one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings since the 1993 Port Arthur massacre.
Ahmed moved to Sydney from Syria more than ten years ago.
He is the father of two daughters, ages five and six.
Ahmed’s mother said she could not stop crying after learning her son was the hero who saved lives at Bondi Beach.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation following the attack. “We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives,” Albanese told reporters.
NSW Premier Chris Minns called Ahmed a “genuine hero” during a Sunday evening press conference.
He stated there was “no doubt” Ahmed’s actions prevented additional casualties.
“I think it’s worth remembering that 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.
