“When he leaped towards the assailant, his sole thought was to protect those around him,” expressed Al-Asaad in an interview with BBC Arabic.

“In the midst of flying bullets, he wasn’t contemplating his own mortality,” Al-Asaad further elaborated.

In a show of appreciation for his courageous actions, a crowdfunding campaign supporting the small business owner has amassed over $1 million as of Monday evening.

Currently, Naveed Akram, aged 24, is under police arrest, whereas his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was fatally shot.

Anthony Albanese commended Ahmed Al-Ahmed, stating, “He is a hero who deserves recognition.” Source: AAP / Steven Markham

Anthony Albanese has described Ahmed Al-Ahmed as ” a hero that needs to be recognised”. Source: AAP / Steven Markham

“It was extraordinary, that footage of essentially creeping up behind a gunman who’s involved in a mass shooting, and he was unarmed, and as a consequence he was shot twice as well, which is why he is in hospital,” he said.