Brave moment Bondi beachgoers attempted to disarm gunmen
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Newly released footage reveals two victims of the tragic Bondi Beach shooting during their brave attempt to thwart one of the attackers just moments before their deaths.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the lives of 15 innocent individuals, marking it as Australia’s second-deadliest mass shooting.

Authorities have accused Naveed Akram, 24, along with his father Sajid, 50, of opening fire from a footbridge at the popular eastern Sydney beach. The attack targeted a crowd gathered to celebrate Hanukkah.

Dashcam video circulating on social media captures a man collapsing to the ground beside Sajid, clutching the weapon he had managed to seize from the shooter. A woman is seen standing nearby.

“Many may not be aware that at the onset of the chaos, two courageous individuals were the first to identify and attempt to disarm the gunman,” commented a user on social media.

‘Tragically, they were shot and killed in the process.

‘They were heroes too. They stepped forward in the face of extreme danger.’

A witness has described the man as a ‘hero’ after watching the struggle unfold.

A man (right) could be seen trying to disarm gunman Sajid Akram (left) before he started his shooting rampage on Sunday 

The brave pair were later photographed lying motionless near the terrorist's car

The brave pair were later photographed lying motionless near the terrorist’s car 

Emergency services treating victims at Bondi Beach

Emergency services treating victims at Bondi Beach

‘We saw this man heroically try to disarm this evil terrorist. His family needs to know he (was) trying to save lives. He is a hero,’ they wrote. 

Another witness, a local Chinese resident called Jenny, told Xiaoxiang Morning Post she thought she had first heard ‘fireworks’ before seeing the two men wrestling while she was parking her car.

‘I was stunned at the time. Looking back on this scene afterward, I was deeply shocked, because everyone was running away at the time,’ she said.

Jenny described seeing Sajid exit a car when he was rushed and tackled by the older man, she believed him to be in his 70s or 80s, who then snatched the long gun.

She said that a thin, older woman was behind the hero.

When Jenny allegedly saw a man fire a gun from the bridge, she drove to the beach where she collected her family and rushed home.

‘I’ve lived in Australia for over 20 years, and I can say this is the most horrific attack Australia has ever suffered since its founding,’ she said.

A young man, who had hidden during the attack, said he saw the couple lying amongst the ‘trail of destruction’. 

Ahmed Al-Ahmed was seriously injured after he tackled and confronted terrorist Sajid Akram

Ahmed Al-Ahmed was seriously injured after he tackled and confronted terrorist Sajid Akram

Heart-stopping footage captured the moment Mr Al-Ahmed (pictured in a white shirt) wrestled a gun from the shooter before turning it against him

Heart-stopping footage captured the moment Mr Al-Ahmed (pictured in a white shirt) wrestled a gun from the shooter before turning it against him 

‘I didn’t know if I was still in danger because police were still shooting,’ he told ABC’s 7.30 on Monday.

‘So I’ve gone over and I’ve checked his pulse… I’ve checked his breathing. And I go to start CPR.

‘This other bloke comes over and he says, “Mate, get out. It’s not safe. He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone.” And I see his wife laying on him face down.’

Nine of the 15 people killed in the attack have been identified, including the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda.

Other victims included British-born Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, French national Dan Elkayam, 27, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, beloved husband and father Tibor Weitzen, Wellington Street synagogue assistant Reuven Morrison, Slovak citizen Marika Pogany, 82, and retired NSW Police detective sergeant Peter Meagher.

12 people injured in Sunday night’s attack remain in a critical condition, while a further 26 patients are in various conditions across seven hospitals in Sydney.

Among them is Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the hero who tackled and confronted one of the Bondi Beach terrorists during the attack.

Incredible footage captured the moment the 43-year-old father of two daughters, aged six and seven, grabbed terrorist Sajid Akram from behind and wrestled away the man’s firearm.

Forensic officers examine a victim's body at the scene

Forensic officers examine a victim’s body at the scene

Nine of the 15 people killed in the attack have been identified, including the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda (her parents pictured at the memorial at Bondi Pavilion on Monday)

Nine of the 15 people killed in the attack have been identified, including the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda (her parents pictured at the memorial at Bondi Pavilion on Monday)

The gunman then fell backwards to the ground as Mr Al-Ahmed lifted the rifle, aiming its barrel toward the disarmed shooter but not shooting.

Akram then backed away as Mr Al-Ahmed rested the firearm against a tree before a second bystander rushed the shooter and threw an object at him.

The altercation took place in view of the second alleged gunman, Naveed, who looked on from a nearby footbridge, gun in hand.

Naveed was rushed to hospital under police guard with critical injuries, while his father was shot and killed by police at the scene.

Mr Al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born tobacconist owner, has been widely praised for his heroism, but it came at a significant personal cost.

He was shot in the shoulder and arm while hiding behind a tree after confronting the gunman and remains in care at St George Hospital.

The Prime Minister confirmed that he will meet Mr Al-Ahmed following a hospital visit from NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday night.

‘I spoke to the premier after he visited, he told me he’s a great character, and he asked about whether I’d be visiting him – he’s a hero,’ Albanese told radio station Nova on Tuesday.

The PM also hinted at a reward, adding that the bystander’s heroism ‘needs to be recognised.’

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