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Bondi shooting: bystander who tackled gunman hailed as ‘genuine hero’
Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two from south Sydney, was shot twice as he wrestled a weapon from the shooter’s hands
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A bystander who rushed towards and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers has won praise from leaders around the world.
Extraordinary footage of the civilian’s actions began circulating on social media on Sunday, shortly after two men, later identified as a father and son, started shooting into a crowd gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.
The massacre has left at least 16 people dead in the worst terrorist attack in Australia’s history. Officials have described the shooting on Sunday as a targeted antisemitic attack.
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In the mobile-phone video, which has not been independently verified, one of the attackers is standing near a tree and firing. A few metres away, a crouched man emerges from behind a parked car. He grabs the shooter from behind and wrestles the weapon from his hands.
Local media named the bystander as Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two from south Sydney. He was shot twice and is being treated in hospital, according to reports.
Bystander tackles, disarms gunman in Australia
Bystander tackles, disarms gunman in Australia
US President Donald Trump said at the White House that Ahmed had saved many lives and expressed “great respect” for him.
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