Donors across Australia and beyond have raised nearly AUD 1 million for Ahmed al Ahmed, the man hailed as a hero for disarming one of the attackers during the deadly Bondi Beach shooting.
According to Australian broadcaster 9News, a crowdfunding campaign set up in Ahmed’s name reached approximately AUD 975,000 in less than 24 hours following the attack, reflecting an extraordinary public response to his actions.
Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner and father of two, tackled a gunman and wrestled a rifle from his hands during the chaos at Bondi Beach. He is currently recovering in the hospital after sustaining injuries in the incident. Despite his wounds, Ahmed has said he would act the same way again if faced with a similar situation.
Video footage that emerged on Sunday night captured the moment Ahmed approached the attacker from behind and seized the weapon. After gaining control of the rifle, he pointed it back at the gunman but did not fire. Moments later, he was injured as shots continued to ring out at the scene.
Nearly $1million is raised for hero who was wounded while disarming gunman during Bondi Beach massacre after telling his cousin 'I'm going to die… tell my family I saved people's lives' https://t.co/D3ZESrF00A
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) December 15, 2025Theodore Okur recorded the footage. He said he initially fled the area when the shooting began before filming the encounter from his nearby apartment. He described the fear and confusion of the moment, saying the gunman was only metres away when the attack started.
Ahmed’s bravery has drawn praise worldwide, including tributes from political leaders and public figures. Among the most notable donors is prominent US billionaire Bill Ackman, who contributed AUD 99,000 after publicly calling for a verified fundraising page to support Ahmed and his family.
Fundraiser for Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed reaches $1 million.https://t.co/AuYzxVkfIZ pic.twitter.com/oYm1VPkfUy
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) December 15, 2025Speaking to the media on Monday, Ahmed’s relatives described him as a hero whose actions saved lives. His cousin confirmed that Ahmed has two young daughters, aged five and six, and expressed gratitude that he survived the attack.
Read: Ahmed al Ahmed Hailed as Hero After Disarming Gunman at Bondi Beach
Family members said his actions reflected selfless courage in the face of extreme danger and expressed hope that he would soon return home to his family, supported by the goodwill of people across Australia.
