Australian authorities revealed on Tuesday that a car belonging to the father-and-son duo involved in the Bondi Beach shooting incident was found to contain two Islamic State flags and explosive devices. The vehicle, registered to the son, was discovered near the Sydney beach with the said items, according to New South Wales Police commissioner Mal Lanyon.
In a separate development, Australian Prime Minister visited shooting hero Ahmed al Ahmed in the hospital on Tuesday, commending his actions during the recent gun attack at Bondi Beach, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals. The attack targeted a Jewish festival marking the beginning of Hanukkah. Video footage captured Ahmed, a fruit seller, maneuvering between parked cars during the shooting and disarming one of the assailants.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following a visit to the hospital where Ahmed was recovering from gunshot wounds sustained during the confrontation, praised Ahmed’s bravery and called him an inspiration to the nation. Albanese mentioned that Ahmed would undergo additional surgery on Wednesday.
Albanese emphasized Ahmed’s courage in the face of adversity, highlighting his actions as a symbol of human strength. The prime minister described Australia as a resilient nation, with Ahmed representing the best qualities of the country.
Despite being bedridden with medical equipment, Ahmed expressed gratitude to well-wishers in a video circulated on social media, thanking everyone for their support and prayers in Arabic. Reports indicate that Ahmed, a Syrian immigrant who arrived in Australia nearly a decade ago, is a father of two.
Ahmed’s mother, speaking to Australian media, recounted her emotional response upon learning of her son’s injuries during the incident, referring to it as “an accident.” She described how Ahmed intervened when he saw people in distress, attempting to save lives during the attack. The global community has shown overwhelming support for Ahmed, with US President Donald Trump acknowledging his remarkable bravery.
An online fundraising campaign has raised over Aus$1.9 million ($1.2 million) to assist with Ahmed’s medical expenses, reflecting the widespread solidarity for the injured hero.