Fundraiser for Australian hero who disarmed Bondi Beach attacker tops $2.6 million

A GoFundMe campaign for Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man who disarmed one of the attackers in the Bondi Beach mass shooting, has surpassed $2.6 million. As of Sunday morning, the page had raised $2.64 million from nearly 45,000 donations, organizers said.

The Dec. 14 attack at Bondi Beach targeted a Hanukkah event and left at least 15 people dead. Video of the scene shows al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian Muslim and father of two, creeping up behind one of the gunmen, tackling him and wresting the weapon away, then turning it on the attacker and holding him at gunpoint. He was shot twice while protecting others.

Organizers said the fundraiser was created to show gratitude for someone who demonstrated "incredible courage when it mattered most." One organizer, social media influencer Zachery Dereniowski, visited al-Ahmed at a Sydney hospital on Friday to present him with a check for $2.5 million, the amount raised at that time.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited al-Ahmed earlier this week, hailing him as an "Australian hero" and commending the actions that saved lives.

"You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist," Albanese wrote in a statement. "In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night. On behalf of every Australian, I say thank you."

Australian authorities have said the shooting is being investigated as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. A 24-year-old man who allegedly carried out the attack with his 50-year-old father was charged with murder; the father died at the scene, police said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said al-Ahmed’s actions there and then were extraordinary. Minns visited al-Ahmed in hospital on Dec. 15, and said the man’s bravery likely saved lives.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised al-Ahmed’s actions as brave, while Minns reaffirmed that the attacks underscored the importance of safeguarding Australia’s Jewish communities and supporting victims and first responders.

The fund-raising effort continues as investigators pursue a clear motive, with organizers emphasizing the goal of recognizing a civilian effort that defied the chaos of the moment and helped limit the toll. Donors have contributed from across the country and around the world, highlighting the global attention such incidents draw and the role of everyday citizens in crises.

Bondi Beach remains a focal point for remembrance and resilience. As the city sought to return to normal, surfers and beachgoers returned to the water in the wake of the tragedy and ongoing memorials reflected the scale of loss, with community leaders urging unity and continued vigilance.

In the days that followed, officials and community members mourned victims while stressing resilience. A memorial service and ongoing tributes paid homage to those who lost their lives and to the first responders who rushed to Bondi Beach that night. The investigation remains active as authorities review security measures and potential links to broader threats.