Fifteen people were killed and dozens more were wounded on Sunday after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, including a Holocaust survivor and the rabbi who organized the event.
A 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son are alleged to have carried out the terror attack that authorities say was ISIS-inspired and targeted Jews. The pair arrived at the beach Sunday evening with a black ISIS-style flag draped over the hood of their car, which also contained improvised explosive devices, before opening fire. The elder suspect was killed at the scene, while the younger was hospitalized in critical condition.
Look for the Helpers
But as the tragedy unfolded, heroic figures emerged. Ahmed Al Ahmed hid behind parked cars before charging at one of the gunmen from behind, wrestling away his firearm, and knocking him to the ground.
The local shop owner, who immigrated to Australia from Syria nearly two decades ago, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains hospitalized, but he is credited with saving countless lives and has been recognized by global leaders for his courage.
The public has also shown their gratitude with some 43,000 people donating over 2.3 million Australian dollars ($1.5 million) via a GoFundMe campaign for the married father of two. “In a moment of chaos and danger, Ahmed Al Ahmed stepped forward without hesitation,” the campaign page read. “His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety… This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most.”
The 44 year old was presented with an oversized check while resting in his hospital bed on Friday by the social media influencer who helped organize the fundraiser, and his humble reaction has gone viral.
@mdmotivator Ahmed, the world loves you ❤️ #ahmed #bondi #sydney #gofundme #kindness ♬ HOLY FOREVER (Instrumental) – Glorify & CHILLØUT
“I deserve it,” Al Ahmed questioned as he was told the news in a video posted on TikTok.
The influencer assured him that he deserved “every penny” and asked what he would say to the people who donated. Al Ahmed’s message was simple: “To stand with each other, all human beings. And forget everything bad… and keep going to save life.”
“When I saved the people I [did it] from the heart because it was a nice day, everyone enjoying celebrating, with their kids, woman, man, teenager all, everyone was happy and they deserve, they deserve to enjoy,” Al Ahmed said, while raising his uninjured fist in the air. “This country [is the] best country in the world… but we’re not going to stand and keep watching – enough is enough.”
Setting the Standard
Megyn said the moment provided the “positive” news needed amid an otherwise dark news cycle. “You’ve got Ahmed Al Ahmed working against these ISIS terrorists to save Jews on a beach, and then [asks], ‘I deserve this?’ and reminds us all to stand for life,” she noted.
Her guest on Friday’s show, Buck Sexton, agreed. “It’s fantastic. And I would just say I would like to see this become a bit more of what the standard is. Not only… that people run to save their fellow human beings in a situation like this, but also that, as societies, we… reward bravery, courage, [and] saving the lives of fellow humans,” he explained. “This should be the standard.”
“There is a whole lot to talk about with Bondi, we will talk about that maybe another time,” he added. “But in the meantime, this was the one bright spot of what was a horrendous day, and this guy deserves every penny.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Sexton by tuning in to episode 1,217 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.