Syrian Hero Raises $1M After Bravely Confronting Armed Attacker in Sydney

A Syrian father of two has become an unlikely hero after tackling an armed gunman at Sydney's Bondi Beach, despite being shot twice in the shoulder. Ahmed Al-Ahmad's brave actions, captured on video and shared widely online, have sparked a massive fundraising campaign that has already raised over $1 million for his recovery.

The 43-year-old Al-Ahmad was having coffee with his cousin when chaos erupted on Campbell Parade. Security footage shows him carefully making his way through a parking lot, using parked cars as cover while approaching the gunman. In those final moments before confronting the attacker, Al-Ahmad told his cousin Jozay Alkang he thought he might die.

"He told me: 'I will die, please go to my family and tell them I worked to save lives,'" Alkang recalled outside the hospital on Monday morning, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The dramatic confrontation shows Al-Ahmad rushing the gunman and wrestling the weapon away after a lengthy struggle. The attacker, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, fell to the ground as Al-Ahmad raised the rifle and pointed it at him. Al-Ahmad then propped the weapon against a tree before bystanders helped subdue the gunman.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited Al-Ahmad in the hospital and praised his courage. "There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed's bravery and dedication," Minns said, according to the Daily Mail.

The GoFundMe campaign supporting Al-Ahmad and his family has drawn over 18,000 donations, including a $100,000 contribution from American billionaire Bill Ackman. The overwhelming response reflects public admiration for Al-Ahmad's split-second decision to risk his life for strangers.

Al-Ahmad remains under medical observation as he recovers from his gunshot wounds. His cousin described the terrifying scene: "We needed coffee. Just ten minutes later, this happened. It was crazy - we took cover behind cars and saw shooting nearby."

The incident highlights how ordinary people can make extraordinary choices in moments of crisis. Al-Ahmad's actions likely prevented additional casualties, turning what could have been a much larger tragedy into a story of heroism and community support.