‘Bodies were falling in front’: Sydney attack hero Ahmed described the horrifying scene

Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting: When the fire of hatred was bent upon swallowing the innocent people, a man surrendered himself to death without caring for his life. Fifteen people lost their lives in a deadly shootout during Hanukkah, the Jewish community celebration of Hanukkah, at Archer Park on Sydney Beach on December 14, but the number could have been much worse. If 43-year-old Ahmed Ali Hamad had not disarmed the terrorist with his bravery, perhaps the pile of dead bodies would have been much larger. Ahmed told that when the dead bodies of innocent people were falling in front of him, his soul asked him to take action.

I jumped on the attacker’s back
“I jumped on the attacker’s back and grabbed him. I yelled at him to drop his gun and stop this massacre,” Ahmed Ali Ahmed told CBC News. Ahmed, who sustained five bullets on his chest and shoulder, said that he was not concerned about his life at that time. Their only goal was to disarm the attacker and prevent people from seeing him screaming. Ahmed became emotional and said that he was happy that he could save many innocent children and women but the sorrow of losing 15 people is still in his mind.

Ahmed became an angel amidst the bullets
Ahmed, a father of two, was part of the festivities when suddenly the gunfire started. According to eyewitnesses, when the attacker was firing indiscriminately, Ahmed decided to confront him instead of running away. Ahmed’s mother said with tears in her eyes, “He saw that people were dying. As soon as the attacker ran out of bullets, Ahmed risked his life and snatched the gun from him.”

Ahmed also got injured after being shot
During this struggle, Ahmed was hit by not one but four to five bullets. His shoulders and upper body were riddled with bullets but he did not leave the attacker until he was disarmed. His father says proudly, “When Ahmed did all that, he was not thinking about which people he was saving. All that mattered to him was humanity.”

From the streets of Syria to Australia
Ahmed is originally from Al Nairab, a small town in Syria. He came to Australia in the mid-2000s in search of a better life. Today there is an atmosphere of celebration in his home town also. His uncle Wahid Al Ahmed says, “Ahmed has been against injustice and corruption since childhood. Today he has proved that bravery has no boundaries or religion.”

discharged from hospital
Ahmed was discharged on Sunday after battling death for two weeks at St. George’s Hospital and undergoing multiple surgeries. There was satisfaction on his face while coming out of the hospital. He said emotionally, “I know that I have saved the lives of many innocent children and women, but my heart is still heavy for those who died.” His bravery has won the hearts of the whole world. More than 43,000 people have donated more than $2.5 million (about Rs 20 crore) in an online fundraiser started to thank and help Ahmed.

PM and Premier saluted
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns met Ahmed soon after the attack and described him as a real-life hero. “At great personal risk, Ahmed disarmed a terrorist, saving countless lives,” he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also visited the hospital to praise Ahmed’s courage and said, “His bravery is an inspiration to all Australians.”