An emotional new video shows Bondi Beach hero, Ahmed Al Ahmed, in the hospital after he'd previously given an update on his condition after the shooting.
On Sunday (14 December), two gunmen descended upon the beach in Australia with 'long guns' where a Hanukkah celebration was taking place, leading to the deaths of fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor.
Police revealed that a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram, were accused of being responsible for the shooting, with a motive having since been given by authorities.
However, one heroic bystander, who was revealed to be 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, has since become a national hero after he tackled one of the gunmen and wrestled the weapon from him, which was all captured on video and shared on social media.
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Ahmed has earned praise from around the world since the incident, with President Donald Trump labelling him 'very brave', while a fundraiser set up to support him has already raised over $2 million, thanks in part to a significant donation from a billionaire who promised to reward him.
The 43-year-old sustained two bullet wounds in his arm and risks losing his arm from his injuries, as he said from his hospital bed [translated]: "I went through a difficult time. God knows. Thanks be to God. Praise God for everything. May God reward your efforts young men."
The dad-of-two added: "You must pray for us. May God heal you and bring you home safely."
He's since been visited by the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns and now Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who shared an emotional video alongside the Syrian-born shop owner.
In the video's caption, Albanese calls him an 'Australian hero', adding: "You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist.
"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."
In the clip, Albanese can be seen shaking Ahmed's hand while telling him that his 'courage is inspiring', to which Ahmed replies: "Thank you very much."
His family, including his parents, have also expressed their pride in his actions, with his cousin revealing the defiant comment Ahmed said before deciding to tackle one of the shooters.
His father, Mohamed, told ABC Australia: “When he saw people laying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon.
“I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia.”
Meanwhile, his mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, added: “I’m proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder.
“He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit. We pray that God saves him.”
James Moorhouse