The hero who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers by grabbing his gun is a father-of-two fruit shop owner.

Twelve people are dead after two gunmen opened fire at the popular tourist beach in Sydney on Sunday evening where a Jewish Hannukkah celebration was underway.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, has been named by relatives as the man fighting one of the terrorists in a video shared widely on social media.

His family said Mr Ahmed, from the Sutherland area of the city, remains in hospital where he has undergone surgery for bullet wounds to his arm and hand.

He is seen in the footage, wearing a white T-shirt and crouching behind a car before pouncing on the back of the gunman then grappling with him and snatching the rifle away from him.

The terrorist backs away in a car park area as Mr Ahmed points the shotgun at him.

The hero is then seen raising his hand before resting the gun against a tree apparently to show police he was not one of the attackers.

His cousin Mustafa told 7News Australia: ‘Still he is in hospital and we don’t know exactly what is going on, the doctor says he is OK.

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The hero who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers by grabbing his gun is a father-of-two fruit shop owner, pictured in a white shirt

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Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, has been named by relatives as the man fighting one of the terrorists in a video shared widely on social media

 

‘We hope he is okay, he is a hero, 100 per cent he is a hero.

‘He has two shots, one in his arm and one in his hand, he has had to have an operation.’

New South Wales premier Chris Minns described Mr Ahmed as a ‘genuine hero’, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: ‘We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others.

‘These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.’

Police have confirmed two gunmen are in custody.

Multiple videos posted to social media show two gunmen standing on a footbridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion, firing shots into a crowd.

The men could be seen firing guns into the crowd as people screamed and sprinted for cover.

A number of people could be seen lying injured and unmoving on the grass at North Bondi.

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He is seen in the footage crouching behind a car before pouncing on the back of the gunman then grappling with him and snatching the rifle away from him

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The gunman backs away in a car park area as Mr Ahmed points the shotgun at him

Others were being loaded into ambulances on stretchers while onlookers attempted to provide support.

Separate footage showed officers standing guard over a hunting rifle lying on the ground with an exclusion zone in place.

NSW Police confirmed two people had been taken into custody shortly before 8pm.

Authorities have confirmed that Naveed Akram, 24, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west, was one of the shooters.

Akram’s suburban home is currently being raided by police. His family has owned the property for a year.

Akram’s identity was first reported by the ABC. It is understood that Akram was shot, arrested and remains in custody, where he is being treated by emergency services.

The other gunman was shot dead at the scene.

‘Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,’ the force said in a statement.

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At least 12 people were killed in the incident and 25 were injured

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Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday night confirmed the incident was an act of terrorism and anti-Semitism

Police are still advising the public to avoid the scene.

Those on the ground have reported panic, confusion and disbelief as chaos continues to unfold with emergency services on the scene.

Many members of the Jewish community had assembled for a Hanukkah celebration in the area earlier in the evening.

The two terrorists were spotted standing on a pedestrian footbridge before opening fire into crowds of locals, holidaymakers and families.

In just a few short minutes the gunmen took the lives of 12 innocent people. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon also confirmed at least 29 people had been injured.

One of the gunmen was also shot dead and the second has been hospitalised.

Prime Minister Albanese gave a speech to the public following a meeting of the National Security Committee on Sunday night.

‘There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation,’ he said.

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Emergency workers are seen attending to an injured person as crowds struggle to process the shooting

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People could be seen gathering near Naveed Akram’s home in Bonnyrigg

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Emergency crews load a patient into an ambulance at Bondi

‘Let me be clear we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity, where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith.

‘At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. Our agencies will provide you with factual updates as quickly as possible as they continue to emerge.’

The praise for first responders has been unanimous from leaders across Australia, but some witnesses have questioned why police did not have systems in place to respond to an attack such as this far more swiftly than what unfolded, especially after the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing that took place not too far away.

It has also since been admitted by Australia’s domestic security intelligence agency, ASIO, that one of the shooters was on their radar.

‘One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate threat perspective,’ ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said.

‘So obviously we need to look into what happened.’