Bystander Who Wrestled Gun From Bondi Beach Attacker is Son of Refugees

A bystander who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, has been identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, whose refugee parents had just arrived from Syria, according to Australian officials and media. Laura Sharman and Jessie Yeung reported for CNN.

Sirens wailed and gunshots rang out as the two men grappled for several seconds, before Ahmed wrenched the gun from the attacker’s hands. (Photo: Chris Minns Facebook) 

Ahmed, a Muslim and a 43-year-old father of two girls, risked his life by tackling an alleged shooter and seizing the gun during Sunday’s attack.

He was later shot by one of the two gunmen, a father-and-son duo whose beachside rampage targeting a Jewish gathering and beachgoers killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens of others.

Dramatic footage of the confrontation, which has been viewed millions of times on social media, showed Ahmed crouching behind a car before launching himself at the gunman who had just fired his weapon.

Sirens wailed and gunshots rang out as the two men grappled for several seconds, before Ahmed wrenched the gun from the attacker’s hands. Ahmed then pointed the weapon at the attacker, who retreated.

A second gunman later fired at Ahmed, hitting him twice.