Bondi Beach mass shooting fundraiser tops $2.6 million for hero who disarmed attacker
Ahmed al Ahmed, praised as a hero after tackling a gunman during a Hanukkah event, has raised millions through a GoFundMe campaign as authorities investigate the attack as terrorism.
More than $2.6 million has been raised for Ahmed al Ahmed, the Bondi Beach man who disarmed one of the attackers during the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Dec. 14, 2025, authorities confirmed Sunday morning. The assault left at least 15 people dead and dozens wounded, and police have described the incident as a terror attack targeting the Jewish community. Al Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian and father of two, was lauded for his actions in preventing further harm as shots rang out along the popular seaside strip.
Video footage and witness accounts depict al Ahmed moving toward the gunman as the shooting began, tackling the attacker, wrestling the weapon away, and then holding the gunman at bay until responders arrived. The confrontation left al Ahmed wounded, with initial reports indicating at least two gunshot injuries. The fundraiser page, launched to show gratitude for what organizers described as extraordinary courage, has generated widespread attention and support.
As of Sunday morning, the GoFundMe had raised about $2.64 million from nearly 45,000 donations for al Ahmed. One of the fundraiser’s organizers, social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, visited al Ahmed at a Sydney hospital on Friday to present him with a check for $2.5 million, a gesture that drew significant attention online.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited al Ahmed earlier this week and praised him as an Australian hero for risking his life to protect others. Officials said the act exemplified courage in a moment of crisis. Albanese noted that in the worst of times, there are examples of the best of Australians, thanked the community for its support, and underscored that authorities would continue to pursue the investigation.
The shooting is being investigated as a terror attack aimed at Australia’s Jewish community. A 24-year-old man alleged to have participated in the attack and his 50-year-old father were charged with murder; the father died at the scene, police said. Investigators are examining the suspects’ motives and any potential links to larger extremist networks. Authorities have also noted the possibility of a separate investigation into travel by the assailants to the Philippines in the weeks leading up to the attack.
Bondi Beach, a emblematic site for Australians and a global symbol of community resilience in the wake of violence, has become a focal point in national conversations about safety, anti-Semitism, and counterterrorism. NSW Premier Chris Minns and other leaders have publicly supported al Ahmed, arguing that his actions likely saved lives by stopping the gunman and enabling responders to reach victims more quickly.
The fundraising push has drawn contributions from tens of thousands of donors around the world, underscoring broad public sympathy for al Ahmed and the broader Jewish community affected by the tragedy. While organizers have not disclosed how the funds will be allocated, backers have described the effort as a show of gratitude and a way to support the hero’s recovery and ongoing needs. Authorities have urged patience as investigations continue and as officials work to determine the full scope of the attack and its security implications for public events nationwide.