The man who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen who launched a terror attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach today is being hailed as a hero. At least eleven people were killed, and nearly 30 brought to hospital, in a attack described by the Australian prime minister as “an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of this nation”.
In the midst of the terror, an unarmed bystander lunged at one of the gunmen and wrestled the weapon from his hands.
43-year-old shopkeeper, Ahmed al Ahmed, has been described as a hero for his intervention.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said he was “a genuine hero”, adding that he had no doubt there were many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.
Premier Chris Minns said two individuals had fired on a “crowded group of families” during a celebration of Hanukkah at Archer Park on the Sydney beach in a “cowardly act of terrifying violence”.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah,” he added. “What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”
He said: “Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community”. Police have declared the incident a terrorist attack.
Police have name one of the suspected gunmen as 24-year-old Naveed Akram who lives in but the identity of the other attacker has not been divulged.
One witness told Sky News that the mass shooting was an “absolute bloodbath”.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as a “devastating” terrorist attack targeting Jewish people and said his government would “dedicate every resource to making sure you are safe and protected”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was among many world leaders responding to the terror attack saying he was “shocked and appalled by the gun attack that left ten people dead at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.”
“Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated,” he said.