Bondi shooting: Donations for hero dad soar past $1 million, says, 'I'd do it again'

People have come together for the hero dad who wrestled a gun away from one of the shooters at Bondi Beach on Sunday (Dec 14). Nine News reported that donors have raised $1.2 million for Ahmed el Ahmed, who crept up behind the gunman and snatched away his gun, putting up an incredible show of bravery, possibly saving many more lives. The 40-year-old is a fruit shop owner in Sydney. One of the donors is US billionaire Bill Ackman, who has called on someone to set up a crowdfunding page for Ahmed. "Can someone please set up a verified (donation page) so we can reward him and his family?" Ackman wrote. He then gave $99,000 to the page.

Videos showed Ahmed racing through the car park, hiding behind a vehicle and then getting hold of the shooter and his gun. He then turned it on him, but did not shoot, waiting for help. He is being hailed as an Australian hero for confronting the shooter. However, he got injured during the subsequent shooting and was treated at the hospital. Ahmed underwent surgery at St George Hospital. "He doesn't regret what he did. He said he'd do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him," Ahmed's immigration lawyer Sam Issa told the Sydney Morning Herald. A cousin of his told Nine News that Ahmed has two daughters, aged five and six. "Maybe he can lose his life to save the other people," his cousin said. The man who shot the video from his apartment called it "the scariest thing" that happened in his life.

Also Read: Who is Ahmed al Ahmed? 'Australian hero' who disarmed gunman and saved many during Bondi Beach terror attack

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Fifty-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, have been named as the gunmen in the Hannukkah shooting at Bondi that left 15 people dead. The victims are being identified, with one of them being a 10-year-old girl. According to NSW Health, 27 people are being treated for injuries in several Sydney hospitals, with some of them critical. The older man who opened fire died at the scene, while his son is critical at the hospital. According to the BBC, the father-son duo pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. Police reportedly found IS flags in their car.