It’s the footage that stunned the world: a tobacconist fearlessly disarming a shooter taking aim at innocent civilians at Bondi Beach. Yet, his incredible courage has sparked a confronting query: with the weapon in hand, why didn’t he fire?
News.com.au explores this profound quandary with police and terrorism experts.
Paul Johnstone, a former police firearms, tactics, and use-of-force instructor, said the answer was “all about mindset”.
“Most people have never been trained to take a life or to actively engage in a shooting so they would be very reluctant to fire a shot at the terrorist,” he said.
“Furthermore, there may have been a reluctance to be then arrested for murder, manslaughter or causing injury, especially with our weak and woke governments.”
The footage, broadcast globally and viewed over 22 million times online, captures the moment 43-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed disarmed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen.
The video shows Mr Al Ahmed approaching the shooter from behind, wrestling a long-barrelled weapon from his grasp. A second civilian is then seen throwing an object at the now-unarmed assailant, who subsequently retreats while the two men take cover behind a tree.
According to his parents, Mr Al Ahmed, who was having coffee nearby when the gunfire erupted, acted after observing the gunman crouched behind a tree and realising his ammunition had run out.
His extraordinary bravery has garnered international attention, including commendation from US President Donald Trump.
Mr Johnston said people with a military and police operational background would have been more likely to shoot to stop the threat.
“Why? Because they would have been very serious concerns that he may have had an explosive device strapped to his body like I’d seen in Afghanistan with the Taliban and my extensive experience studying suicide attackers,” he said.
A former NSW Police tactical response officer said the vision suggested the hero didn’t have experience with firearms.
“The way he was holding onto the gun would suggest he hadn’t handled one before,” he explained.
“Or it may have been that he couldn’t work out in an instant how to cock a new round after it had just been fired.”
A serving NSW police officer who asked not to be named said there were three main reasons why someone in that situation would not shoot.
“Firstly, most people don’t want to take another human life.
“Secondly, I don’t think he knew how to handle the weapon and thirdly, and maybe most influential in such a situation, is that the law does not allow you to take matters in your own hands.
“Once the threat is neutralised you are not permitted by law to take proactive action.
“Just like if someone broke into your house, it’s not ok to bash someone senseless because they were in the wrong first.
“So in my opinion this hero acted perfectly for the situation he found himself in. He was extremely brave and put others before himself.”
The police officer did have a fourth explanation for the way the encounter unfolded.
“Let’s not rule out the fact that in that situation it would be a normal, human reaction, when you have just disarmed a dangerous person with a gun, to freeze.”
‘Riddled with bullets’
Meanwhile, Sam Issa, the migration lawyer representing Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed, has given an update on his condition in hospital.
“He’s not well at all. He’s riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment,” Issa told The Sydney Morning Herald.
His client suffered about five bullet wounds on his left arm, and one on his left shoulder blade. The bullet from the shoulder blade has yet to be extracted.
“He’s a lot worse than expected,” said Issa, adding that Mr al Ahmed had “lost a lot of blood”.
“Ahmed’s a humble man. He’s not interested in coverage. He just did what he was compelled to do as a human being on that day.
“This is his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship. He has really appreciated this community, and he felt that as a member of the community, he had to act that way and contribute.
“He doesn’t regret what he did. He said he’d do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him.”
$1.5 million raised after billionaire’s donation
As Mr Ahmed recovers in hospital, a Gofundme page set up to support the tobacconist has already raised over $1.5 million as of 5am Sydney time on Tuesday.
The original fundraising goal of $300,000 has since been revised to $1.7 million.
“After witnessing the extraordinary actions of the hero who helped disarm one of the attackers during the Bondi tragedy, an act that prevented the loss of countless more lives, we felt compelled to act,” the fundraising page reads.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, he stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the process while protecting others.”
Bill Ackman, a Jewish investment banker worth more than $9.5 billion, donated $99,000 to the cause.
From his personal X account later, Mr Ackman shared the link to the fundraiser and directed others in his circle to donate.
“I am told by GoFundMe that the funds will only be released directly to the hero,” he wrote.
Prominent Australian social media influencer Anna Paul also topped donations on another fund for Mr Ahmed and affected victims with $15,000.
Australian television personality Harry Jowsey also donated $10,000 to the same fund,which appears to have been started by Australian fitness entrepreneur Adam Sullivan.
