Fundraiser For Wounded Bondi Beach Hero Raises Big Haul Hours After Terror Attack
A GoFundMe for a man who fought back against one of the Bondi Beach shooters has raised over $250,000 in a matter of hours.
The hero of Bondi Beach, identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, is hospitalized with two gunshot wounds, one to the hand and the other to his arm, according to the BBC. Ahmed, a fruit shop owner and father of two, ambushed one of the attackers, disarmed the shooter, and held him at gunpoint.
“After witnessing the extraordinary actions of the hero who helped disarm one of the attackers during the Bondi tragedy, an act that prevented the loss of countless more lives, we felt compelled to act,” says a GoFundMe post created by Car Hub Australia, a car club.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, he stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety,” the description continues.
By Sunday evening Central Time, the fundraiser had raised over $250,000, propelled by an initial $50,000 donation from Car Hub Australia. The goal for the fundraiser was initially set at just $35,000, but by Sunday evening it had been raised to $300,000 as donations quickly outpaced the target amount.
The Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, Australia, targeted a Hanukkah celebration attended by thousands of Jews, including families with young children. The attacks killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens of others.
Video from the terror attack on Bondi Beach showed Ahmed’s heroic actions. President Donald Trump praised the 43-year-old in comments during a White House Christmas reception.
“In Australia, you probably read … a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives … very brave person who’s right now in the hospital. Pretty seriously wounded. So, I have great respect to that man that did that,” said Trump.
A cousin of Ahmed said that he was hospitalized and in need of an operation, but that the doctor has said that he “is okay,” according to the BBC.
“We hope he is OK, he is a hero, 100% he is a hero. He has two shots, one in his arm and one in his hand, he has had to have an operation,” the cousin said.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.