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

An online fundraiser for Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled and disarmed one of the attackers in the Bondi Beach mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah event, has surpassed $2.6 million, organizers said Sunday morning. By that time, the GoFundMe page had collected about $2.64 million through nearly 45,000 donations, underscoring public gratitude for the selfless act during a moment of chaos.

The Dec. 14 attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney left at least 15 people dead and dozens wounded. Al Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian Muslim and father of two daughters, ages 5 and 6, was among those injured when a second gunman opened fire. Video from the scene shows him moving up behind the attacker, tackling him, and wrestling the weapon away before turning it on the assailant and pinning him down until others could intervene. The fundraiser described al Ahmed’s actions as selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken with no regard for his own safety.

One of the campaign’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, the amount raised at that point. In a video shared online, al Ahmed appeared overwhelmed by the generosity, and said little in response while Dereniowski reassured him that the full amount would be given to him and his family in recognition of his actions.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited al Ahmed earlier this week, praising him as an “Australian hero” for risking his safety to save others and for disarming a terrorist on Bondi Beach. Albanese’s message echoed the sentiment of leaders around the country and abroad, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who lauded al Ahmed’s bravery. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also spoke highly of his actions, saying the courage shown on Sunday night likely saved lives. Minns’s comments came as authorities continued to treat the attack as a terror incident targeting the Jewish community.

As investigators pursue the case, Australian authorities have charged a 24-year-old man allegedly involved in the attack alongside his 50-year-old father, who died at the scene. The two men face murder charges, and police have not ruled out additional charges or the possibility that the incident was motivated by extremist aims. The government continues to assess the security and intelligence aspects of the case amid a broader crackdown on extremist violence in the region.

The Bondi Beach incident has also sparked a broader national conversation about resilience and community response in the wake of terrorism. The beach area has since reopened to the public, and authorities have organized vigils and remembrances for victims and survivors. Community leaders have emphasized gratitude for the acts of courage shown by bystanders and first responders, while families of those affected begin the long process of healing.

The GoFundMe organizers say the campaign is designed to express broad gratitude for someone who demonstrated extraordinary bravery when it mattered most, and to provide support for al Ahmed and his family as they recover. For supporters, the fund represents a public acknowledgment of everyday courage in the face of violent extremism, and a chance to help a stranger who acted to protect others in a moment of crisis.

As investigators and officials continue to pursue the full facts surrounding the attack, communities across Australia and beyond are watching closely how authorities pursue accountability and how society honors acts of bravery in the aftermath of terrorism. The case remains a stark reminder of the real and ongoing threat of extremist violence, and of the everyday resilience demonstrated by those who choose to intervene rather than retreat in the face of danger.