Ahmed al-Ahmed has been hailed as a hero for running toward one of the Bondi Beach shooters and likely preventing more deaths. Al-Ahmed, who served in Syria's security forces, told his cousin he was going to die before jumping into action.

Bondi Beach

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a bystander at Bondi Beach, intervened during a shooting incident by tackling one of the attackers, potentially preventing greater loss of life. Video footage verified by CBC News shows al-Ahmed wrestling a rifle away from the shooter, who was targeting a Hanukkah crowd, before police intervened.

Al-Ahmed, a former Syrian security officer and current Australian citizen, is recovering in hospital from multiple gunshot wounds. He has received widespread praise for his actions, with community leaders and the public expressing gratitude and support, including through a fundraising campaign for his recovery.

What we know about the Bondi Beach hero

In the chaos, an act of incredible bravery. This bystander, Ahmed al-Ahmed, tackles one of the Bondi Beach shooters, likely preventing Australia's worst mass shooting in decades from becoming even more tragic. He is now in hospital recovering from his injuries, while his country and the world hails him as a hero. This video, verified by CBC News and seen around the globe, shows al-Ahmed crouched behind a parked car. You see him charge at the shooter, who's targeting a crowd celebrating Hanukkah. He wrestles away his rifle, then turns it on him. Police then open fire on this shooter, and the second one nearby. His father says al-Ahmed was just getting coffee when he noticed the shooter hiding. Before jumping into action, he reportedly told his cousin, I'm going to die, and to tell his family he tried to save lives. He's a hero. 100%. He's a hero. He's a hero. He's a hero. His father says that he used to serve in the Syrian security forces before moving to Australia in 2006, where he's now a citizen. He's a shop owner and the father of two daughters. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, his immigration lawyer says he's not well at all and that he's sustained about five bullet wounds in his left arm. But he says he doesn't regret what he did and that he'd do it again. Messages are pouring out thanking him for his bravery. These two terrorists, they do not represent Australia. Mr Ahmed, who tackled one of the terrorists, he represents Australia far more, vastly more than anyone that is filled with hatred. A GoFundMe has been set up to help al-Ahmed's recovery and has already raised a remarkable amount of money. I just can't believe he had the courage to run straight in and put his body on the line for so many people. A selfless act that saved so many. Ashley Fraser, CBC News, Toronto.

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