The bystander who tackled one of the gunmen during a deadly terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach has been identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner who was present at the scene when the shooting began.
The attack occurred during the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which was attended by more than 1,000 people on the first night of the holiday.
Authorities classified the shooting as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the attack began shortly after 6:30 p.m. local time.
Initial sounds described by witnesses as “pops” were first mistaken for firecrackers before sustained gunfire erupted.
Two gunmen, armed with semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, positioned themselves on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade and Archer Park, adjacent to the event site near a playground and nearby restaurants in North Bondi.
Australia took away its citizens’ guns, but 10 people at Bondi Beach are dead anyway because terrorists don’t care about gun laws.
— Don Keith (@RealDonKeith) December 14, 2025
The only thing the Australian government did was make sure its unarmed, law-abiding, citizens are now sitting ducks, unable to defend themselves. pic.twitter.com/xzwEziEpxk
One of the gunmen, dressed in dark clothing, remained elevated on the bridge and fired almost continuously toward the crowd gathered in Archer Park.
Witnesses said he paused only to reload and briefly descended the stairs for less than 10 seconds before returning to the bridge. During that time, he threatened bystanders who came too close along Campbell Parade.
The second gunman crossed the bridge and advanced toward a tree approximately 30 meters from the gathering.
From that position, he fired at people who were attempting to flee the area.
The attack continued for more than 10 minutes before police were able to respond and confront the shooters.
Al-Ahmed, who is of Lebanese descent, was in the area when the shooting unfolded.
Video footage taken from a building overlooking the scene shows him crouching behind a parked car as one of the gunmen, with his back turned, continued firing toward the crowd.
As captured in the footage, al-Ahmed charged the gunman from behind, tackled him to the ground, and wrestled the weapon away.
He briefly aimed the firearm at the attacker before placing it down and walking toward police officers as they moved in on the bridge.
Bondi Beach, appears that a bystander rushed one of the shooters and disarmed them. pic.twitter.com/iphfol8X0u
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 14, 2025
During the confrontation, the second gunman, who remained on the bridge, continued firing and struck al-Ahmed once in the shoulder and again in the hand.
‼️ THE BONDI HERO ‼️
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 14, 2025
Ahmed El Ahmad, a 43yr-old father-of-two fruit shop owner.
After so bravely jumping on the first terrorist, he was then shot twice by the second terrorist, and is now being treated in hospital but expected to be OK. Thank you Ahmed. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/sTSzpycXUn
Authorities said the injuries required surgery.
Police engaged the attackers shortly afterward and neutralized them following a brief exchange of gunfire.
One of the attackers was killed at the scene, while the other was taken to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
The attack claimed 11 lives, including British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was a father of five; an Israeli citizen; and one police officer who died while responding to the scene.
Authorities said between 24 and 29 people were injured, including a child and two additional police officers who were wounded in the line of duty.
Injuries ranged from gunshot wounds to trauma sustained during the evacuation.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns publicly praised al-Ahmed for his actions, describing him as a “genuine hero.”
Minns added, “I’ve got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.”
Australian police identified one of the gunmen as Naveed Akram, a local resident who had limited prior contact with law enforcement. Investigators also linked the deceased attacker to an improvised explosive device discovered in a nearby vehicle.
The second suspect has not been publicly identified. Authorities said the individual was known to security services but had not previously been assessed as posing an immediate threat.
“The person that we know has very, very little knowledge to the police,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said during a press conference.
Police confirmed the incident has been classified as an act of terrorism and said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine potential links to extremist groups or additional accomplices.
