Ahmed Al-Ahmed was hailed a hero after disarming a gunman during the Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach on December 14, an act that likely saved many lives. The 43-year-old fruit vendor was shot twice while tackling the attacker and later underwent surgery.
As he recovered in hospital, influencer Zachery Dereniowski helped organize a GoFundMe that raised over $2.5 million to support Ahmed. When Dereniowski surprised him with the check, Ahmed’s reaction stunned viewers. His first response was a humble, tear-jerking question: “I deserve it?”
When told he did, Ahmed thanked donors with a powerful message about unity, compassion, and protecting one another. “I did it from the heart,” he said, explaining that families were simply enjoying a peaceful day together.
His words quickly went viral, with social media users praising his courage, humility, and humanity, calling him a true hero and wishing him a speedy recovery.