A Sydney man identified online as Ahmed al Ahmed is being widely hailed as a hero after footage surfaced appearing to show him wrestling a firearm away from one of two gunmen during a deadly incident at Bondi Beach.

Videos circulating on social media show what appears to be a chaotic scene near the Bondi Pavilion and Campbell Parade area, where gunfire erupted during a crowded beachside gathering on Sunday evening. Online reports claim the violence left multiple people dead and dozens injured.

According to accounts shared online, two armed men opened fire on a crowd gathered near the beach just before 7 p.m. One of the gunmen was later killed, while the other was taken into custody in critical condition.

Bystander Intervention Caught on Video

Several videos posted to social platforms appear to show two gunmen standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing toward people below as crowds scream and flee for cover.

In one widely shared clip, a bystander is seen crouching behind a parked car in the Campbell Parade car park before approaching one of the gunmen from behind. The man then appears to wrestle the firearm from the shooter’s hands, forcing him to the ground in a brief but violent struggle.

Australian media outlets and online posts have identified the bystander as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, described as a father of two who was dressed in a white shirt and black pants at the time of the incident.

The footage, believed to have been recorded from a nearby apartment overlooking the scene, shows the disarmed gunman stumbling away toward the bridge, where a second shooter was allegedly continuing to fire.

Injuries and Family Statements

Ahmed al Ahmed’s cousin, Mustafa, told 7News that Ahmed later sustained gunshot wounds to his upper arm and hand and required surgery.

“He’s in hospital, and we don’t know exactly what’s going on inside,” Mustafa said. “We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero — 100%.”

Online reports have also stated that Ahmed runs a fruit business, though this detail has not been officially confirmed.

Questions Raised About Police Response

While many online users have praised Ahmed’s actions as an extraordinary act of courage that may have saved lives, others have questioned the speed of the police response.

Grace Matthews, who said she was heading to the “Chanukah by the Sea” event at the time, told ABC News she took shelter in a nearby church after hearing gunshots.

“One of my friends was at the festival, and he said the police were very underprepared to respond to this kind of threat,” Matthews said. “That was why it required a member of the public to neutralise one of the threats.”

She added that she was surprised by the response time, noting the proximity of a police station to the scene.

Official Statements and Ongoing Claims

Authorities have since described the incident as a terrorist attack allegedly targeting Sydney’s Jewish community. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said he was “incredibly proud” of the force’s response.

Additional footage posted online shows a man believed to be Ahmed sitting on the ground while bystanders tend to what appears to be a leg injury. A caption accompanying the video claimed his actions gave others time to escape.

Reports circulating online also identify the second shooter as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who is seen in the footage gesturing from the bridge and exchanging gunfire with police. These claims have not been independently verified.

According to online accounts, the second gunman was later taken into custody with injuries, while the other was fatally shot by police moments later.

Authorities have not released full official details confirming all aspects of the incident, and investigations are ongoing.