Shop owner hailed hero after tackling gunman in Bondi
Bondi shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed is being hailed a hero after tackling an armed man on Gould Street, disarming him and holding him until police arrived.
‘I just reacted’: Bondi shop owner on the moment he disarmed attacker
BONDI, NSW—Customers were lining up for Saturday-morning coffees when a man wearing a balaclava stepped onto Gould Street, a rifle slung across his chest. Within seconds, 34-year-old shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed had sprinted the length of the pavement, slammed the gunman to the ground and pinned him until police arrived.
Mobile footage shows the rifle clattering across the pavement while bystanders scream. Moments later, the gunman is face-down, Ahmed’s knee planted firmly between his shoulder-blades.
‘He saved us all’
Witness Mia Cullen, 22, had just left the laundromat when the scene unfolded. “Everyone froze, but Ahmed didn’t hesitate,” she said.
“He ran straight at the guy. If he hadn’t, we’d be talking about casualties, not heroes.”
Police confirmed the rifle was loaded. Officers recovered additional ammunition and a second firearm inside the alleged assailant’s backpack. A 26-year-old man is in custody; charges are expected to include possession of an unregistered firearm and intent to endanger life.
From baker to Bondi’s reluctant hero
Ahmed, who emigrated from Syria in 2016, opened his bakery three years ago. Neighbours describe him as soft-spoken, always first to donate leftover bread to the local shelter.
On Sunday morning, bouquets and thank-you notes lined the footpath outside the store. One card read simply: “To our guardian. Shukran.”
Speaking to reporters, still wearing a flour-dusted apron, Ahmed brushed aside talk of bravery. “I’m not a hero,” he insisted. “I just didn’t want anyone hurt.”
‘A reminder of everyday courage’
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb praised Ahmed’s actions as “selfless and decisive,” while Premier Chris Minns announced the government would cover any legal or medical costs he incurs.
Security expert Dr. Lauren Hayes says the incident highlights the importance of community vigilance. “Ordinary citizens can disrupt an attack in those first critical seconds,” she notes. “Ahmed’s quick thinking prevented potential tragedy.”
The area has since returned to its laid-back beach vibe, but locals vow never to forget the morning a baker turned Bondi’s busiest street into a stage for courage.