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From suburban businessman to global hero, Ahmed Al Ahmed says he will never forget the moment he stared evil in the eye and he says it was the sound of women and children screaming for help that gave him the courage to take on a terrorist.<\/p>\n
In an Australian first interview with 60 Minutes, the 44-year-old revealed what he said to gunman Sajid Akram after he tackled him to the ground, and how he is still living with two bullets from the December 14 terror attack at Bondi lodged in his shoulder.<\/p>\n
He also detailed his snap decision to tackle Sajid Akram and wrestle a high-powered gun from the shooter\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t say anything. Only I can see with his teeth, showing anger, as a devil, you know?\u201d he told <\/a>60 Minutes.<\/p>\n The former tobacco shop owner from Sydney\u2019s south visited Bondi Beach that Sunday evening almost by accident, searching for an afternoon coffee with his cousin Hothefa, when they came across the Chanukah by the Sea gathering at Archer Park.<\/p>\n As Ahmed retraced his steps through the park for the first time since that fateful summer evening, he recalled the sound of happy families celebrating the Jewish tradition of light over darkness.<\/p>\n Ahmed can also vividly remember the moment when joy turned to terror, as rapid gunfire erupted.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hearing heavy, heavy shooting, like a war. I can hear all the kids, women, everyone crying, you know, screaming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n As Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram carried out their lethal attack from the footbridge, Ahmed took cover between two parked cars, metres from the armed men.<\/p>\n Trying to shield himself from relentless bullets being aimed directly at the crowd, Ahmed says it was the harrowing sound of cries for help that propelled him into action.<\/p>\n Footage from that day captured the chilling twist when Sajid Akram left the footbridge and crept along the park\u2019s edge towards hundreds of terrified and helpless people cowering nearby.<\/p>\n Ahmed said he couldn\u2019t see the attacker approaching, but that another innocent bystander crouching nearby mouthed to him that the gunman was on his way.<\/p>\n \u201cThis guy kept telling me, \u2018he\u2019s coming, he\u2019s coming\u2019 and then he said, \u2018he\u2019s here\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cI asked God, \u2018help me\u2019. I didn\u2019t think, I just saw it, do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ahmed can still feel Sajid Akram\u2019s \u201cstrong and muscular\u201d frame when he leapt onto his back and forced him to the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cI run into him and hit him with my hand, right hand in his head and grab him into my arm, you know, his, his face, his neck, try to hold him, you know, with my arm,\u201d Ahmed said.<\/p>\n Ahmed reveals for the first time what he said to Sajid Akram as he snatched the weapon out of the terrorist\u2019s hands and turned it back on the shooter.<\/p>\n \u201cMotherf—er, stop what you doing \u2026 You motherf—er, piece of shit,\u201d Ahmed said.<\/p>\n Ahmed said he does not regret not shooting at the terrorist himself.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I\u2019m a human being, and I don\u2019t wanna put my hand in blood,\u201d he said. \u201cMy target was just to take the gun and stop him from killing a human being.\u201d<\/p>\n Fifteen people were killed and 40 more were injured, including Ahmed, who was shot five times in his left shoulder, which he said was payback for trying to stop the atrocity and save lives.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this moment, I start screaming, \u2018help\u2019 and then asking my God, \u2018Give me power, give me patience\u2019,\u201d he said. \u201cI start feeling hot, my heart starts pumping, and then I start feeling sweaty. I was thinking I\u2019m gonna die.\u201d<\/p>\n Still recovering from his critical gunshot wounds, the reality of what Ahmed survived that day is only starting to set in for him. The murder of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest of the 15 innocent victims, haunts him the most.<\/p>\n \u201cI think all the time about this girl, I cry. Why? Why to the little girl, an angel like her,\u201d Ahmed said.<\/p>\n Two months on from Australia\u2019s deadliest terror attack, Ahmed is still in a lot of pain, two of the five bullets remain lodged within his shoulder and his left hand has little to no feeling.<\/p>\n Medical tests can\u2019t detect any nerve activity yet, adding to Ahmed\u2019s fear that he might never get full use of his hand back.<\/p>\n But asked if he would do it again, the ordinary man who did something extraordinary doesn\u2019t falter.<\/p>\n \u201cI will do it again and again and again. And anywhere in the world. If I have power and I have a life, I will do it.\u201c<\/p>\n *Nine is the publisher of this masthead.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Ahmed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cbb765c6fcd964b4533311ba13b646cfc51e95d63ccb79d76ad2ffd01850ea35.jpeg\")
Ahmed Al Ahmed says he will never forget the moment he stared evil in the eye when he wrestled terrorist Sajid Akram\u2019s gun from him at Bondi.60 Minutes<\/p>\n![\"Ahmed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58e40d2588840240f3bd44e6b7e2f0d7d93b7b7c33e3df317f783ac24a9064e2.jpeg\")
Ahmed Al Ahmed wrestles the gun from Bondi terrorist Sajid Akram.Nick Castellaro\/60 Minutes<\/p>\n![\"Ahmed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1c91fffdf2eb622edf7029ce5a330a7e702017c7ea959d8694f90e465ecf3fbf.jpeg\")
Ahmed Al Ahmed after he had taken the gun from Bondi terrorist Sajid Akram.Nick Castellaro\/60 Minutes<\/p>\n![\"There](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771763053_250_9e93f099b21250f1dd0554ca656f69f0075e41f5.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/74b7392c0249e52f91d2dcb4b90b84a2960e10e2349a692ad008078da9e479d3.png\")
The youngest Bondi victim, 10-year-old Matilda. \u201cI think all the time about this girl, I cry. Why? Why to the little girl, an angel like her,\u201d Al Ahmed said.<\/p>\n