SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A man who tackled and disarmed one of the attackers during the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney on Sunday night has been praised as a hero who saved lives.
Video footage from the scene shared on social media showed the man, who has been identified by family members as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed from southern Sydney, approaching one of the two attackers from behind before tackling him and taking his gun.
The footage showed the disarmed attacker retreating towards the second shooter on a nearby pedestrian bridge while Ahmed placed the gun on the ground.
Ahmed's cousin, Mustafa, told Australia's Seven Network television on Monday that the 43-year-old father of two was subsequently shot twice and taken to hospital.
Mustafa said the family was awaiting an update from doctors on Ahmed's condition.
Chris Minns, the premier of the state of New South Wales (NSW), said at a press conference on Sunday night that Ahmed was a hero and there was "no doubt" that many people were alive because of his bravery.
Commissioner of Police in NSW Mal Lanyon said on Monday that there were many stories of bravery from members of the community.
"We know that a number of people are alive now because of the actions of innocent bystanders," he said.
Authorities have confirmed that 16 people have died following the shooting, including one of the alleged gunmen.
Police said that the two alleged shooters were a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son.
It marks Australia's most deadly mass shooting since 35 people were killed at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania in 1996. ■
