Bondi hero would 'do it again' despite being 'riddled with bullets'

Sunday, 14 December 2025 20:27

First images of brave dad in hospital as millions around the world react in awe, and the fundraiser for him reaches a staggering amount.

The hero who tackled and wrestled a gun from the hands of one of the Bondi Beach shooters has been pictured recovering in hospital and says he would do the act of bravery again.

Incredible footage that emerged on Sunday night showed Sydney father-of-two Ahmed el Ahmed creeping up on one of the shooters, pouncing on him and eventually wrangling the gun from his hands.

The tobacco shop owner turned the weapon on the gunman but never fired, and shortly after he was injured in subsequent gunfire.

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Bondi Beach terror attack hero Ahmed el Ahmed in hospital, recovering from surgery.

Ahmed el Ahmed meets Chris Minns in hospital.

Ahmed has undergone surgery at St George Hospital as his bravery is lauded around the world.

"He doesn't regret what he did. He said he'd do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him," Ahmed's immigration lawyer Sam Issa told the Sydney Morning Herald after visiting the hero on Monday.

"He's not well at all. He's riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment."

By late on Monday night, more than $1.2 million had already been donated for Ahmed via a crowdfunding site set up for the hero.

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Prominent US billionaire Bill Ackman is believed to be among the donors.

The hedge fund manager had called for someone to set up a donations page for Ahmed.

"Can someone please set up a verified (donation page) so we can reward him and his family," Ackman wrote.

Ackman then donated $99,000 to the page.

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Ahmed's family spoke to media this morning, describing him as a "hero".

"Maybe he can lose his life to save the other people," his cousin said of Ahmed's courageous efforts.

"I hope everyone in Australia wish everything is good for Ahmed to go back to his family."

Ahmed has two young daughters, according to his cousin.

The cousin confirmed Ahmed had two daughters, aged five and six, but said he had not had the chance to speak to him yet.

"To be honest, I don't speak to his family (yet), because I leave here very late last night," he said.

"Until now, I don't sleep yet."

Ahmed's actions have been praised in Australia and around the world, including by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ahmed hid behind a silver vehicle and crept towards the apparent gunman before leaping towards him and putting him in a headlock.

He wrestled with the gunman until he released the weapon.

Ahmed then turned the weapon on the gunman.

The heroic man did not fire the gun but signalled for assistance.

'Scariest thing': Man who filmed heroic act was at scene as shooting began

The man who recorded the footage of Ahmed disarming the gunman revealed he was initially on the beach when the shooting began

Theodore Okur described on Today how he fled the scene and subsequently caught Ahmed's actions from his apartment.

"I was going towards the beach to get some barbecue. When the shooting began on the bridge, the guy was 10 metres in front of me," he said.

Theodore Okur called Ahmed a "hero" for his actions, and said he felt "lucky to record such a moment.

He revealed he saw the gunmen target the Jewish ceremony and initially believed the shots were fireworks.

"It was the scariest thing that happened in my life," he said.

Okur said he couldn't believe the footage he was recording, but said Ahmed was a hero.

"I'm very lucky to witness this," he said.

"Being the only person who filmed this scene, which is extremely scary."

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