Footage from the scene of the mass shooting at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney shows a moment of extraordinary civilian heroism amid the chaos, as a Muslim man armed with nothing but his body charged a gunman and wrestled his weapon away.

The footage captures a civilian emerging from behind a parked vehicle and lunging at one of the terrorists who had opened fire on the gathering. In a violent struggle at close range, the man managed to grab the attacker’s gun and fire at him. The terrorist fled the scene but was later apprehended by police, authorities said.

That civilian has since been identified by his family as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two. According to relatives, al Ahmed suffered two gunshot wounds to his arm during the confrontation and remains hospitalized. His condition was not immediately disclosed, but his family said his injuries were sustained while stopping the attacker.

A second armed civilian also opened fire during the attack, helping to neutralize the terrorists until police arrived and made arrests, officials said.

At least 12 people were murdered in the attack, including a Chabad shliach.

Family members of al Ahmed said his split-second decision to confront the gunman may have prevented an even greater loss of life.

“He fought with his bare hands,” a family statement said, describing how al Ahmed approached the shooter from behind and tackled him despite being unarmed. “His actions likely saved many lives.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)