Skip to content 
Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Syrian-American, was praised as a “real-life hero” after a video of him fighting back against a gunman who opened fire at people celebrating Hannukkah at Bondi Beach on December 14,
Videos showing Al Ahmed tackling and disarming the shooter quickly went viral. Many praised him as a hero whose actions likely prevented further deaths.
The 44-year-old was shot twice and later underwent surgery for his injuries. While he remained in the hospital recovering, influencer Zachery Dereniowski helped organize a GoFundMe campaign to support him and show appreciation for his actions. The influencer surprised Ahmed at the hospital by delivering a $2.5 million check.
“When I do save the people, I do it from the heart because it was a nice day, everyone was enjoying, celebrating with their kids,” Ahmed Al Ahmed said from the hospital bed.
“Woman, man, teenager, all of this, everyone was happy and they deserve to enjoy and it’s their right. This country, best country in the world, but we’re not going to stand and keep watching, enough is enough.”