Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the hero who disarmed a gunman during the Bondi Beach terror attacks which saw 15 innocent people killed and dozens injured, is back in hospital.
Mr Al Ahmed rushed in to wrestle a shotgun from Sajid Akram, 50, when he opened fire on the crowd at a Jewish Hanukkah festival at the iconic beach just before 7pm on December 14.
Akram’s son, Naveed, who is accused of killing 15 and injuring dozens more, allegedly shot Mr Al Ahmed several times in the moment of breathtaking heroism.
Mr Al Ahmed was released from hospital over the weekend after he had a final round of surgery to remove a bullet from his shoulder and to repair nerve damage he sustained while wrestling the shot-gun from Akram’s grip.
However, The 44-year-old father-of-two has since returned to St George Hospital for further treatment for the gunshot wound.
Footage of the incident saw Mr Al Ahmed hailed a hero across the globe, and sparked an online appeal which raised $2.5million, presented to him in hospital last week.
Now Mr Al Ahmed has finally spoken about his heroics in an interview with a US TV network, set to air overnight.
‘I did not worry about anything,’ he told Australian CBS News journalist Anna Coren.
Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the hero who disarmed a gunman during the Bondi Beach terror attacks, has returned to hospital just days after being discharged
‘My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being – and not killing innocent people.’
On Monday, the father of two was spotted by the Daily Mail living the high life on the 33rd-floor balcony of a lavish suite at the Barangaroo casino’s hotel in Sydney CBD.
Mr Al Ahmed, still wearing a sling on his left arm, has been joined by his family at the suite as he comes to terms with his new wealth and fame after saving the lives of countless others.
Despite being hailed as a hero, Mr Al Ahmed said his thoughts remain with those who did not survive.
‘I know I saved lots of people’s lives, innocent kids and women and men,’ he said. ‘I know I saved lots – but I still feel sorry for the lost.’
Dramatic footage showed him leap from behind a parked car to wrestle Sajid Akram to the ground, successfully disarming him before he was wounded in the crossfire of the firefight between police and the second gunman.
‘I jumped on his back, hit him,’ he said.
‘I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him, drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing, and it’s come all in fast.
‘And emotionally, I’m doing something, which is I feel something, a power in my body, my brain.
‘I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help, and that’s my soul asking me to do that.’
Doctors removed a bullet from his shoulder and repaired nerve damage during his most recent surgery.
However it is believed he may still suffer permanent damage and could require further surgery.
More to come….
