Dad of Bondi Beach hero issues update after he was hospitalised tackling gunman
The father of a man hailed as a 'real-life hero' for disarming one of the Bondi Beach shooters has provided a positive update on his health.
Australian police said two gunmen, named in local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, are responsible for killing 15 people during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday (14 December).
Officials shot Sajid, who died at the scene, while Naveed is wounded and is expected to survive his injuries to face criminal charges.
A further 27 people have been receiving care in hospitals across Sydney, as of late Monday afternoon.
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It comes after the parents of fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, have praised their son for fighting a gunman in a video shared on social media after the attack.
The 43-year-old, in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, is seen risking his own life by grappling the gun away from the shooter and forcing him to retreat.
He then points the weapon in his direction as another member of the public appears.
In an update, Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, said: “I saw him last night and he was in good spirits.
“He said he thanks God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers.”
The dad told ABC Australia, via a translator, that he was in the area to have a coffee with a friend.
“They got there and were shocked to see armed men firing weapons at terrorists,” he explained.
“Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men in a distance from him, hiding behind a tree.
“My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people.”
Mohamed added: “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.”
His mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, said: “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.”
Topics: Australia, Crime, News, World News
Anish Vij