Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has moved into a penthouse suite at the Crown Casino in Sydney after being handed $2.5million for his bravery, as he breaks his silence about disarming one of the massacre gunmen.
Mr Al Ahmed rushed in to wrestle a shotgun from Sajid Akram, 50, when he opened fire on the crowd at a Jewish Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach on the evening of December 14.
Akram’s son, Naveed, who is accused of killing 15 and injuring dozens more, allegedly shot Mr Al Ahmed several times in the moment of breathtaking heroism.
Footage of the incident saw Mr Al Ahmed hailed a hero across the globe, and sparked an online appeal which raised $2.5million, presented to him in hospital last week.
Now Mr Al Ahmed has finally spoken about his heroics in an interview with a US TV network, set to air overnight.
‘I did not worry about anything,’ he told Australian CBS News journalist Anna Coren.
‘My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being – and not killing innocent people.’
On Monday, the father of two was spotted by the Daily Mail living the high life on the 33rd-floor balcony of a lavish suite at the Barangaroo casino’s hotel in Sydney CBD.
He was discharged from hospital at the weekend and is recovering from major surgery to save his arm after being repeatedly shot in the terror attack.
Mr Al Ahmed, still wearing a sling on his left arm, has been joined by his family at the suite as he comes to terms with his new wealth and fame after saving the lives of countless others.
Despite being hailed as a hero, Mr Al Ahmed said his thoughts remain with those who did not survive.
‘I know I saved lots of people’s lives, innocent kids and women and men,’ he said. ‘I know I saved lots – but I still feel sorry for the lost.’
Dramatic footage showed him leap from behind a parked car to wrestle Sajid Akram to the ground, successfully disarming him before he was wounded in the crossfire of the firefight between police and the second gunman.
‘I jumped on his back, hit him,’ he said.
‘I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him, drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing, and it’s come all in fast.
‘And emotionally, I’m doing something, which is I feel something, a power in my body, my brain.
‘I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help, and that’s my soul asking me to do that.’
His gripping and emotional TV interview was filmed at the Crown Towers hotel in Barangaroo where Mr Al Ahmed is recovering before returning to his family home.
He was spotted on Monday soaking up the sunshine on the balcony of his $1250-per-night suite with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.
Last week it was revealed his family, who live overseas, have been granted visas to travel to Australia to support him during his recovery.
While his parents Mohamed and Malakeh were already in Australia on holiday when he was shot, his siblings who are scattered across several countries have been desperate to see him.
The federal government stepped in to grant visas to his brothers and sisters, according to his migration lawyer Sam Issa.
They are expected to travel to Sydney from Germany, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, while another sister based in Syria is still seeking a visitor visa.
Doctors removed a bullet from his shoulder and repaired nerve damage during his most recent surgery.
However it is believed he may still suffer permanent damage and could require further surgery.
Last week Mr Al Ahmed was handed a cheque for $2.5million after the fundraiser attracted more than 43,000 donations from around the world.
Before the attack, he had planned to sell his tobacco shop in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, and the business was sold while he was recovering in hospital.
According to his lawyer, he has not begun to consider plans for his future because of the extent of his injuries and the long recovery still ahead.
