Breaking: Nearly $1million is raised for hero in the Bondi Beach tr:agedy after telling his cousin: ‘… tell my family I saved people’s lives’

Nearly $1 million has been raised for the hero who was wounded while disarming the alleged gunman during the Bondi Beach massacre.

Before his act of bravery, Ahmed el Ahmed told his cousin, ‘I’m going to die… tell my family I saved people’s lives’.

Incredible footage captured the moment the 43-year-old father of two, sprang on the shooter after he opened fire on Sunday night.

The suspects in the shooting, Sajid and Naveed Akram, a father and son, are believed to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, according to ABC News.

The Syrian-born fruit shop owner’s heroism has earned praise from Australia and beyond and came at a significant personal cost, landing him in hospital with two gunshot wounds to his shoulder.

The stakes were not lost on Mr Ahmed, who, seconds before approaching the alleged gunman, told his cousin Jozay Alkanj he was going to die.

‘He said ‘I’m going to die, please see my family and tell them that I went down to save people’s lives’,’ Mr Alkanj recounted outside hospital on Monday morning, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Things might have turned out differently had the pair decided to join the revellers at the Hanukkah event, who offered them food as they passed by before the shooting began.

‘We needed a coffee,’ Mr Alkanj said. ‘It was then just ten minutes before this happened like that. It was very crazy, we went behind the cars, we were seeing that people were shooting very near to us.’

Moments later, Mr Ahmed was filmed creeping through the car park along Campbell Parade, hiding behind parked cars for cover as he made his way towards the alleged shooter.

The Bondi Beach hero, Ahmed el Ahmed, has been photographed in hospital with New South Wales premier, Chris Minns

Pictured is father-of-two Ahmed el Ahmed, who put his life on the line to wrestle a firearm from one of the two alleged shooters at Bondi Beach

Heart-stopping footage captured the moment Mr Ahmed (pictured in a white shirt) wrestled a gun from the alleged shooter before turning it against him

Matilda, 10, died overnight after she was wounded during the attack

Be the first to commentBe one of the first to commentComments

Should Ahmed al Ahmed be formally honoured for his bravery at Bondi Beach?

Comment now

Once within close enough range, he sprinted towards the alleged gunman, finally wrestling the firearm from his clutches following a prolonged tussle.

The alleged gunman, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, then fell backward towards the ground as Mr Ahmed lifted the rifle, aiming its barrel towards the disarmed shooter.

Akram then backed away as Mr Ahmed rested the firearm against a tree before a second bystander rushed the shooter and threw an object at him.

The altercation took place in view of the second alleged gunman, Akram’s 24-year-old son, Naveed, who looked on from a nearby footbridge, gun in hand.

Naveed was rushed to hospital under police guard with critical injuries, while his father was shot and killed by police at the scene.

The unbelievable footage has circulated widely online, prompting a GoFundMe campaign to be launched to raise funds for the hero, who remains under observation in hospital.

The campaign has so far raised close to a $1million across more than 5,000 donations – including $100,000 from US billionaire Bill Ackman.

New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns visited the hero at the hospital and praised him for his actions. He said: ‘There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed’s selfless courage.’

At least 16 people were killed in Sunday night’s mass shooting, including a ten-year-old girl, with dozens more left seriously injured.

A screengrab showing the moment a bystander tackled an alleged gunman

Naveed Akram was rushed to the hospital under police guard in critical condition after the attack

Beloved father Tibor Weitzen, left, has been identified as one of the 15 victims of the attack

The terrifying shooting unfolded as hundreds gathered to attend the Jewish Chanukah by the Sea event, marking the first day of Hanukkah.

As the dust settles on what has been described as the country’s darkest day since the 1993 Port Arthur massacre, mourners have found hope in the Syrian-born man’s bravery.

The Muslim man arrived in Sydney more than a decade ago from Syria. He is the father of two daughters aged five and six.

Mr Ahmed’s mother has said she couldn’t stop crying when she found out her son was the hero who had saved countless lives at Bondi Beach.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns said the heroism provided some hope in a time of darkness.

‘We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives,’ Albanese told reporters.

Minns said Mr Ahmed was a ‘genuine hero’ at a press conference late on Sunday, adding there was ‘no doubt’ he saved many lives.

‘I think it’s worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger,’ he said.

Authorities have released details of the victims of the attack.

Matlida, 10

Matilda died on Sunday night after she was shot while at the Chanukah by the Sea event.

In an emotional post shared to social media, her aunt Lina confirmed her niece had been killed.

‘A great tragedy has happened to my family. Yesterday my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi beach,’ she wrote.

‘I don’t know how we survive such grief.’

In a GoFundMe, set up by Matilda’s language teacher Irina Goodhew, the little girl was remembered as a ‘bright, joyful, and spirited child’.

‘I was Mailda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,’ Ms Goodhew wrote.

‘Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.’

The GoFundMe has raised more than $13,800 as of 12pm on Monday, with the funds going to Matilda’s mother, Valentina Poltavchenk.

‘All donations will be transferred directly to her to support the family during this incredibly difficult time. Donations are made in loving memory of Mailda,’ Ms Goodhew wrote.

Former police officer turned rugby volunteer and photographer Peter Meagher was on assignment at Bondi Beach when he was gunned down

Peter Meagher

Former police officer Peter Meagher was also killed at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

After his retirement, Mr Meagher volunteered at the Randwick Rugby Club and pursued his hobby of photography.

It is understood Mr Meagher was on a photography assignment at Bondi Beach when the shooting unfolded.

In a post shared to the Support Grassroots Rugby, Mr Meagher was remembered for his selfless attitude.

‘I can’t believe the news, Peter Meagher was a manager at Randwick when I played there,’ the post read.

‘This tragedy wasn’t just a attack on the Jewish community, it’s was a attack on our nation and way of life. (sic)

‘Peter not only served our country up holding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly. R.I.P Peter my friend.’

Gift baskets

Beloved father Tibor Weitzen (left) has been identified as one of the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack. He was shielding his wife (right), who survived, when he was fatally wounded

Tibor Weitzen

Beloved father and husband Tibor Weitzen has been identified as one of the victims after he was fatally wounded while shielding his wife from the gunfire – who survived the attack.

The Daily Mail understands Mr Weitzen, whose son works as an ABC sound engineer, died after he was shot as he tried to protect his wife.

Eli Schlanger, 41

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was confirmed as one of the victims in a heartbreaking post shared to social media by his first cousin Rabbi Zalman Lewis.

Rabbi Lewis wrote: ‘My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was murdered in today’s terrorist attack in Sydney.

‘He leaves behind his wife, young children, as well as my uncle and aunt, and his siblings. He was truly an incredible guy.’

Rabbi Schlanger was the head of the Chabad mission in Bondi where he had served the community for nearly two decades.

The British-born father-of-five was one of the organisers for the Chanukah by the Sea event targeted by the gunmen.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger (pictured) was one of the organisers for the Chanukah by the Sea event allegedly targeted by the gunmen at Bondi Beach on Sunday

Rabbi Yakkov Levitan (pictured) was also killed in the mass shooting

Yakkov Levitan

Rabbi Yakkov Levitan has also been identified as another victim of the mass shooting.

Rabbi Levitan served as a secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and worked at the BINA Centre, according to Chabad – a global organisation based in Brooklyn dedicated to sharing the Jewish faith and traditions around the world.

While at the event, Rabbi Levitan was distributing tefillin – two small, black leather boxes containing Torah scrolls that are worn by male adult Jews committed to performing the Jewish rite.

Alex Kleytman, 87

Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was killed while protecting his wife of almost six decades from the gunfire.

His wife Larisa told the Daily Mail her husband was shielding her from the bullets when he was fatally shot.

‘I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me, in the back of the head,’ she said.

Married for 57 years, the pair, who are also beloved grandparents, travelled from Matraville, a suburb of Sydney, to celebrate Hanukkah with other Jewish people.

Larisa Kleytman (pictured) said her husband was shot dead while protecting her

Alex and Larisa Kleytman (pictured) had been married for almost six decades

The 87-year-old was also a Holocaust survivor

Reuven Morrison

Reuven Morrison, who served as an assistant at Bondi’s Wellington Street synagogue, put himself in harm’s way after meeting his friend Vladimir at the Chanukah event.

An emotional Vladimir said he would have been caught up in the gunfire if he hadn’t needed to find parking.

‘I saw everything and now my best friend is dead. He died in front of me,’ he told the Daily Mail.

Vladimir was returning from the Chanukah celebration to sort out his car when the shooting began.

‘I was leaving. I asked Reuven about what time to turn on the Chanukah lights and then I was walking away,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘I’d walked about 50 metres when I heard the shots and I turned around and there was a Chinese lady and her child and I said “get down!” and maybe that’s what saved me too.

‘People started running and I looked up and saw the guy shooting from the bridge above towards the Chanukah area.

Pictured: Reuven Morrison, who died while trying to save people during the terror attack in Bondi on Sunday

‘Then there was one detective over the other side who started firing at the shooter on the ground.

‘There was more firing and then Reuven got hit. He was trying to get people to get down out of the way and then maybe disarm the shooter on the ground, he was walking towards him to fight him.

‘But then he was shot – hit in the kidneys, I think. I was there when he died.’

Dan Elkayam, 27

French Jewish man Dan Elkayam was also among the 16 people killed during the mass shooting.

The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the young man’s death on X on Monday.

He wrote that Paris feels ‘immense sadness’ at the news, and is mourning ‘with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the bereaved Australian people’.

The 27-year-old had moved to Australia to work as an engineer about a year ago, the Le Parisien newspaper reported.

French Jewish national Dan Elkayam, 27, (pictured) died in the terror attack

Mr Elkayam was an avid football player and was part of Rockdale Ilinden FC Premier League team.

The football club shared a touching tribute to Facebook on Monday, describing Mr Elkayam as a talented and popular member of the team.

‘It is with extreme shock and sadness to discover our Premier League 1 player – Dan Elkayam – was a victim of the horrendous, tragic and senseless events at Bondi Beach,’ the club wrote.

‘Dan was an integral member of our PL1 Squad in 2025 – who was an extremely talented and popular figure amongst team mates.

‘Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dan’s family, friends and all that knew him. He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace – Memory be Eternal.’

Police officers critical

One of the officers suffered extensive injuries to his shoulder – which almost resulted in him bleeding to death – and was also shot in the stomach.

The officer was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery to stop the bleeding.

His wife, who is also a police officer and is pregnant, was informed about her husband’s critical condition and travelled from north of the state to be with him.

Another officer, who is believed to be a probationary constable, is in critical condition after he was repeatedly shot in the face.

It is understood he is being treated at an eye hospital and could lose his eye due to the severity of his injuries.

Israel citizen killed

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed an Israeli citizen was killed in the attack, while another was also injured.

‘The Israeli Embassy in Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for Israelis in Distress are in contact with the family of the wounded individual, who is hospitalised at a local hospital,’ the ministry said in a statement.

‘The Israeli Consul in Australia is expected to arrive at the hospital to accompany the wounded Israeli and assist the family.’

Arsen Ostrovsky was caught up in the horrific shooting

October 7 survivor injured

Arsen Ostrovsky, an international human rights lawyer, was out with his family alongside hundreds of other people when the terror attack unfolded.

Mr Ostrovsky told the Daily Mail about his narrow survival after also living through the horrors of Hamas’s massacre at the Nova music festival in Israel.

‘I lived through October 7th. Never imagined I’d see this horror in Australia,’ he said.

‘Bullet grazed my head. Doctors said it was a miracle I survived, but I will make a recovery.’

After the attack, Australia’s prime minister, who called it ‘an act of pure evil’ vowed to introduce harsher gun laws. The country already has one of the strictest gun controls in the world.

The alleged gunmen are said to have lived in Bonnyrigg, in New South Wales, around an hour’s drive from Bondi Beach. The pair were there until a few weeks ago when they moved into an Airbnb in Campsie, which is closer to Bondi Beach.

According to local media, police raided their home, and three people were arrested. Those three were subsequently released.

Senior officials in the investigation told the ABC that two IS flags were found in the suspected gunmen’s car at the beach, although New South Wales police said they could not confirm the report.

It has been said that one of the alleged shooters, Naveed Akram, had been previously investigated over his close affiliation with an IS terrorism cell in Sydney.

According to Australia’s leader, he first appeared on cops’ radar in October 2019, however, ‘an assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence’.