“I’m Going to Die”: The Chilling Statement of a Bondi Beach Hero

Daphne Moon 0 1 min read

In the chaotic and horrifying moments following the targeted attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire on innocent civilians, an act of profound bravery cut through the terror. As people fled for their lives, one man, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner and father of two named Ahmed El Ahmed, ran directly toward the danger. His heroic intervention, which involved tackling one of the assailants and disarming him, undoubtedly saved numerous lives, though it came at a tremendous personal cost. El Ahmed was shot three times during the confrontation and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery.

Witnesses and emerging footage capture the moment El Ahmed charged the attacker. In a profound testament to his character and self-sacrifice, he reportedly told his cousin of his grim determination before acting. According to a report from The Telegraph, El Ahmed said, “‘I’m going to die … tell my family I saved people’s lives’,” before he charged at one of the shooters and wrestled away his rifle. This statement, made in the face of almost certain death, encapsulates a raw and universal heroism that transcends all backgrounds—a commitment to protecting others even at the ultimate personal price.

El Ahmed’s background provides some context for his instinct to serve and protect. His father explained that his son had previously served “‘with the police and under central security forces’” and possessed “‘the impulse to protect people’.” His father’s statement, “‘I feel proud and honored, because my son is a hero of Australia,’” resonates across a nation grieving from its deadliest mass shooting in decades. The hero, a Syrian national, stands as a powerful counter-narrative to the violent ideology that motivated the attackers, demonstrating that courage and moral clarity are found in individuals, not defined by creed or origin.

 

The attack itself, carried out by a father-son duo identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram, has left 16 dead and dozens wounded, sparking urgent debates on community safety, immigration screening, and the global scourge of antisemitic violence. While these critical policy discussions unfold in the aftermath, the immediate story is one of a singular, life-saving act. Social media has been flooded with tributes and calls for El Ahmed to be permanently honored, with users posting images of him in the hospital with the caption, “Pray for his swift recovery.” The public sentiment is clear: in a moment designed to spread hatred and fear, the response they choose to highlight and celebrate is one of selfless love and protection.

Send this to a friend