Sydney Hero Who Disarmed Gunman With Bare Hands Receives Over 2.4 Billion Won in Donations

Over 43,000 People Worldwide Join in Donations
"Do I Deserve This?... Let's Unite to Save Lives"

Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old "citizen hero" who prevented further casualties by disarming a gunman with his bare hands during a mass shooting at a Sydney beach, has received donations exceeding 2.44 billion won.

According to a report by Yonhap News on the 19th (local time), citing Reuters, Ahmed, who is currently hospitalized in Sydney, was handed over more than 2.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 2.44 billion won) raised online.

Citizen hero Ahmed Al Ahmed who stopped the Sydney shooting terror with bare hands. Photo by AFP Yonhap News Agency

Zachary Derenioski, who led the fundraising campaign through the crowdfunding site GoFundMe, visited Ahmed's hospital room that day to deliver the check. Upon receiving the check, Ahmed asked, "Do I deserve this money?" to which Derenioski replied, "Every single cent, absolutely."

More than 43,000 people from around the world participated in the fundraising, including Bill Ackman, a prominent U.S. hedge fund manager, who donated 100,000 Australian dollars (about 98 million won).

Zachary Derenioski handing over 2.5 million Australian dollars to Ahmed Al Ahmed. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

Ahmed said, "What I did to save people came from the heart." He added, "This country is the best in the world," and prayed, "God, please protect Australia."

When asked if he had a message for the donors, he urged, "All of humanity must unite," and advised, "Forget all the bad things and keep moving forward to save lives."

Previously, on the 14th, a mass shooting occurred during the Jewish festival "Beach Hanukkah" at Bondi Beach, a famous Sydney beach, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. At the time, Ahmed approached the armed suspect from behind with his bare hands and, after a fierce struggle, managed to disarm him. During the incident, he was shot once in the arm and once in the hand, underwent surgery, and is now recovering in the hospital.

Ahmed is a Muslim immigrant from Syria who reportedly moved to Australia around 2006 in search of work and later obtained Australian citizenship. He currently runs a fruit shop locally while raising two daughters, aged six and five. His courageous act, as an ordinary citizen, quickly spread through social media, with people around the world praising him as a "true hero."

Australian politicians also paid tribute to his actions. On the 16th, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Ahmed in the hospital to offer his support, calling him a "true Australian hero." Prime Minister Albanese told reporters, "Ahmed represents the very best of our country," and emphasized, "We will not allow this country to be divided. That is exactly what terrorists want."