Bondi Beach Hero Pleads Not Guilty to Alleged Assault on Father

Ahmed al Ahmed wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during the shooting in Sydney

By Lana Lam, Sydney

Published: 24 June 2026, 04:06 UTC

Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, was celebrated as a hero when he tackled a gunman during the deadly Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people. Now, he appears before the Bankstown Local Court pleading not guilty to assault, stalking and intimidation charges related to an alleged attack on his father.

A lawyer for Ahmed described the case as a "very difficult family situation he never expected," highlighting the emotional complexity of the proceedings. In December, Ahmed seized a pistol from attacker Sajid Akram while protecting a crowd at a Jewish event; a second gunman fired several shots at Ahmed’s arm. Police have since labeled the attack a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community.

The hero’s actions drew international attention and spurred a fundraiser that raised more than A$2.5 million, with donations also converting to roughly $1.7 million. Despite earlier charges, Ahmed maintains that the assault allegations are false.

Complicating matters, two of Ahmed’s brothers, Hozifa and Sameh, were recently charged over claims they threatened Ahmed and attempted to extort portions of his donations. The brothers allegedly insisted Ahmed give $100,000 each, citing threats to his safety. The court proceedings remain ongoing, with a subsequent hearing scheduled for August and a later one in December.

In the aftermath, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Ahmed in hospital, praising him as "the best of our country." Ahmed’s own words, shared in a TV interview, reflected his motivation: "I wanted to stop innocent people being killed, and my soul was asking me to do that."

The case will continue to unfold as the legal process moves forward, bringing further scrutiny to a man who once became a national symbol of bravery.