Video: Trump hails man who disarms active shooter bare-handed in Hanukkah massacre
US President Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
United States President Donald Trump paused a White House press event Monday to praise Australian hero,El Ahmed who charged a mass shooter at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, crediting him with saving “a lot of lives” in one of the deadliest attacks on Australia’s soil in decades.
Video: Trump hails man who disarms active shooter bare-handed in Hanukkah massacre
Speaking at a podium adorned with holiday decorations, Trump transitioned from comments on a U.S. incident at Brown University to the overseas tragedy.
“In Australia, you probably read if it’s been there’s been a very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the other shooters,” Trump said.
He added, “very brave person. Right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. So I have great respect for that man.”
The remarks spotlight Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim father of two and fruit shop owner, whose daring intervention during Sunday’s Bondi Beach shooting has made him a global symbol of courage.
A 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son, acting as a “cell” in what police called a targeted terror attack on the Jewish community, opened fire with rifles, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens.
One attacker reportedly died in the chaos.
Hidden behind parked cars, al-Ahmed rushed one gunman from behind, tackled him, and wrestled away his rifle—actions hailed as pivotal in halting the rampage.
Shot twice in the process, he underwent surgery and is recovering at St. George Hospital, Dailyeconomy gathered.
His family called it a “matter of conscience,” saying he couldn’t stand by as people died.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dubbed al-Ahmed “the best of humanity,” while a GoFundMe for his family has surpassed A$1.1 million (~$744,000 USD).
