Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Syrian-Australian shop owner who heroically tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen, has given his first televised interview since the terror attack on December 14.
Fifteen people were killed in the massacre – Australia’s deadliest since Port Arthur in 1996 – while at least 40 were injured when Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, allegedly opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration.
Sajid, 50, was shot dead by police during the assault. Naveed has been transferred to Long Bay Correctional Complex in Malabar, Sydney, charged with 59 offences.
More than two weeks after the mass shooting, three victims remain in a critical condition, with nine total still receiving treatment in Sydney hospitals.
Al-Ahmed, a Sutherland local, made international headlines after he stepped in to wrestle a firearm from one of the men.
In an interview with America’s CBS News aired on Monday morning, Al-Ahmed said he “didn’t worry about anything” except for the lives he could potentially save.
“My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people,” he told the outlet.
“I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost.”
Al-Ahmed – who was filmed leaping out from behind a parked car and wrestling one of the gunmen – was himself shot twice during the attack, and has since undergone five surgeries.
“I jumped in his back, hit him,” the father-of-two told CBS of the moment he tackled the shooter.
“I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him, drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing, and it’s come all in fast.
“And emotionally, I’m doing something, which is I feel something, a power in my body, my brain … I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help, and that’s my soul asking me to do that.
“Everything in my heart, in my brain, everything, it’s worked just to manage to save the peoples’ life.”
Over the weekend, family members of Al-Ahmed who live overseas were granted visas to fly to Australia to help him with his recovery.
According to Al-Ahmed’s lawyer, Sam Issa, his brothers and sisters are set to be given temporary visas, with the applications fast-tracked by the Federal Government’s Department of Home Affairs.
His siblings will fly to Sydney from Germany, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Another of Al-Ahmed’s sisters, based in Syria, is trying to get a visitor’s visa.
“That’s good for him. That will give him a lot of support,” Issa told The Australian.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke welcomed the decision to grant the Bondi hero’s family visas to be by his side.
“Ahmed has shown the courage and values we want in Australia,” Burke said.
Al-Ahmed had wanted to sell his tobacco shop in Sydney’s Sutherland prior to the terror attack. It was sold while he was recovering in the hospital.
He does not have immediate plans for what his next job will be given the extent of his injuries and how long they may take to recover.
“He needs to recuperate, needs rest and to go home to his family,” his lawyer added.
Last week, he was handed a cheque of $2.5 million for his heroism, with an organised fundraiser receiving more than 43,000 donations from around the world.
Presented with the cheque by influencer Zachery Dereniowski at the hospital, Al-Ahmed asked: “I deserve it?”
“Every penny,” Dereniowski responded.
The “spontaneous bravery” of Al-Ahmed and the other Australians who put themselves in “harm’s way to defend others” during the attack was also lauded by King Charles in his Christmas speech.
“From our venerable military veterans to selfless humanitarian workers in this century’s most dangerous conflict zones, to the ways in which individuals and communities display spontaneous bravery, instinctively placing themselves in harm’s way to defend others,” the 77-year-old said in the 10-minute annual message, aired to millions across the United Kingdom and the world.
“As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common.
“A shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life. If we can find time in our journey through life to think on these virtues, we can all make the future more hopeful.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited Al-Ahmed at his hospital bed on December 16, told him he was “the best of country”, describing him as “an Australian hero.”
“He was trying to get a cup of coffee and found himself at a moment where people were being shot in front of him,” the Prime Minister said after the visit.
“He decided to take action, and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians. He is a very humble man.
“At a moment where we have seen evil perpetrated, he shines out as an example of the strength of humanity. We are a brave country. Ahmed al Ahmed represents the best of our country.”
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