<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fred Rogers once had some powerful words for anyone struggling to make sense of a horrible tragedy: "Look for the helpers".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers'," the US entertainer, better known as Mister Rogers, said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You will always find people who are helping."</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This advice is more important than ever in the wake of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-live-updates-december-16-latest-news-headlines/1e42e1a4-555a-47b9-9bcb-d1419bb04980" rel="" target="_blank" title="horror mass shooting"><span>horror mass shooting</span></a><span> in Bondi, after </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-terror-attack-victims-named/8e866d73-4e45-4198-b28b-3661b4d8ad58" rel="" target="_blank" title="15 innocent people were gunned down"><span>15 innocent people were gunned down</span></a><span> at the beach.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-heroic-man-disarms-gunman-turns-weapon-on-him/4d5e1253-c12c-4a84-9d42-b92fa175744b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Bondi hero would 'do it again' despite being 'riddled with bullets'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The true spirit of Australian matehood and bravery was on full display this week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As grief-stricken family members of the victims recount their loved ones' last moments and seemingly endless new reports come streaming in, there is some light among the darkness.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-heroes-australians-who-helped-saved-lives-everything-to-know/48030086-c99b-46ca-8e32-2f38a9c99b0e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Countless Australians stepped up to help when they were most needed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-heroic-man-disarms-gunman-turns-weapon-on-him/4d5e1253-c12c-4a84-9d42-b92fa175744b" rel="" target="_blank" title="heroic bystanders"><span>heroic bystanders</span></a><span> who stared evil in the eye, brave first responders and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-footage-shows-lifeguard-jackson-doolan-running-barefoot-to-help-exclusive/5dee9c3f-474c-4df1-8709-a5a1a8a7774c" rel="" target="_blank" title="lifeguards"><span>lifeguards</span></a><span> who ran straight into gunfire, and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-how-to-help-where-to-donate-explainer/0e6b1ca5-4b47-4144-a752-7b354ccf959a" rel="" target="_blank" title="blood donors who offered life-saving donations"><span>blood donors who offered life-saving donations</span></a><span> in droves – these helpers have made an immeasurable impact.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-live-updates-december-16-latest-news-headlines/1e42e1a4-555a-47b9-9bcb-d1419bb04980" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australia mourns as Bondi victims fight for life; Philippines trip by alleged shooters probed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>The brave bystanders</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When a mass casualty event takes place in Australia, it is not unusual to hear or see everyday heroes who risk their lives to help – often without a second thought.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-heroic-man-disarms-gunman-turns-weapon-on-him/4d5e1253-c12c-4a84-9d42-b92fa175744b" rel="" target="_blank" title="Ahmed El Ahmed"><span>Ahmed El Ahmed</span></a><span>, who is recovering in hospital right now after being shot, was the first person to be identified among the hero helpers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Sydney father-of-two, 44, crept up on one of the shooters, pounced on him and eventually wrangled the gun from his hands.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ahmed then turned the weapon on the gunman but never fired, and shortly after he was injured in subsequent gunfire.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ahmed has undergone surgery at St George Hospital as his bravery is lauded around the world.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-how-to-help-where-to-donate-explainer/0e6b1ca5-4b47-4144-a752-7b354ccf959a" target="_blank"><strong><span>How you can donate blood in the wake of the Bondi terror attack</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He doesn't regret what he did. He said he'd do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him," Ahmed's immigration lawyer Sam Issa told the </span><em><span>Sydney Morning Herald</span></em><span> after visiting the hero yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He's not well at all. He's riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than $1.9 million had already been donated for Ahmed via a crowdfunding site set up for the hero.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said NSW Premier Chris Minns.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-shootings-new-video-shows-bystanders-fighting-alleged-gunmen/d90c2bd1-4aa1-4c8b-8918-c6a2b2ec32a7" rel="" target="_blank" title="New footage also emerged today of two mystery bystanders"><span>New footage also emerged today of two mystery bystanders</span></a><span> fighting with one of the alleged shooters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The two people, who are yet to be named, were shot dead in the confrontation on Sunday evening as they grappled with one of the shooters, believed to be 50-year-old Sajid Akram.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the footage, the man in the purple shirt can be seen wrestling the alleged shooter to the ground, disarming him in the process.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He then wields the man's gun like a bat in an effort to stop the attack.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Later footage, which 9news.com.au has chosen not to publish, shows the man in the purple shirt fatally shot in the confrontation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-reuven-morrison-daughter-reveals-he-died-a-hero-attempting-to-stop-gunmen/d066b689-eb5f-48f9-a004-28f5a27211a0" rel="" target="_blank" title="Reuven Morrison"><span>Reuven Morrison</span></a><span> also died trying to save others.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 62-year-old father was shot and killed as he tried to stop one of the gunmen with a brick.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His daughter Sheina Gutnick said her father died a hero as he assisted Ahmed in confronting the shooter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He was screaming at the terrorist and protecting the community," Gutnick told </span><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bondi-beach-shooting-victim-reuven-morrison-daughter-australia-no-home-for-jews/" rel="" target="_blank" title="CBS"><em><span>CBS</span></em></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-who-are-the-bondi-shooters/b0fdd033-610d-4b47-98fd-25817e98e5df" target="_blank"><strong><span>CCTV captures dad and son alleged shooters heading for Bondi</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Witnesses who protected each other</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jessica Rozen had been attending the Chaunkah by the Sea event when the shots rang out.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was looking for her own toddler son when she saw another little girl screaming in fear.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In footage shared with </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/15/bondi-beach-shooting-terror-attack-survivor-mum-searched-toddler-protected-another-child-ntwnfb" rel="" target="_blank" title="Guardian Australia"><em><span>Guardian Australia</span></em></a><span>, Rozen lay on top of her, shielding the child until the gunfire subsided.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're going to be nice and safe and nobody is going to hurt us, OK?" Rozen can be heard saying.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Rozen's son was also protected by his grandmother during the shooting.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"She lay on top of him," Rozen told the outlet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A group of men gathered all the kids and women from the playground and walked them up to the surf club.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I don't know who they are, but I am grateful beyond measure."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Rozen also said on LinkedIn that she was OK.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My brother-in-law was injured, I have some minor cuts and bruises but am otherwise unharmed," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I have grown up here. I love this place. I wish only for peace and love. Thank you so much for everyone who came to help."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another woman, Julia, said her son was aided by a couple who drove him to safety after he was shot in the attack</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They saw he was bleeding so they put him in their car and drove him up the road, where they met my husband who was on his way down to Bondi to get my son and take him to hospital," Julia said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Julia is still trying to track down the strangers who helped.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Hero lifeguards who helped first responders</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bondi Beach's famous lifeguards sprang into action the moment the shooting began.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-footage-shows-lifeguard-jackson-doolan-running-barefoot-to-help-exclusive/5dee9c3f-474c-4df1-8709-a5a1a8a7774c" rel="" target="_blank" title="Lifeguard Jackson Doolan has been hailed an Australian hero"><span>Lifeguard Jackson Doolan has been hailed an Australian hero</span></a><span> for running towards danger as the gunmen killed innocent people who were enjoying an evening at the Chanukah by the Sea event.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bondi local Alexandra Ching filmed Doolan as he ran, barefoot and carrying a medical bag, down Bondi Road from Tamarama.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Multiple members of the lifeguard team also stepped up to help the wounded.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One lifeguard even paddled into the water to help a struggling swimmer amid the chaos.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce earlier praised his team's bravery and said he is incredibly proud of them.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was amazing, we got calls from the club as it was happening - lifesavers here in Bondi ran straight out to get children out of the playground, as they were under fire, other lifesavers ran out to perform CPR on people who had been shot," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Paramedics and police witnessing unspeakable horror</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While most people at the beach were fleeing in the opposite direction, police officers, paramedics and first responders walked straight into the gunfire.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is their job to risk their lives to help people in danger, but their bravery has been commended and praised widely in the aftermath.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police officers from around Sydney responded "without hesitation" when the shooting began, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They just heard the event, put their uniform on, got in their car, and drove to Bondi police station because they knew they would be needed," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We had them not just from locals, as far as Newcastle, Sutherland, western Sydney... You name it."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Health Minister Ryan Park said frontline paramedics responded swiftly and professionally when they treated the dozens of wounded at Bondi Beach.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 100 paramedics responded to the shooting, ensuring no stone was left unturned and no injured person was left untreated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They went into an area that's called a 'hot zone', meaning a live offender was possibly still in their midst, and they did remarkable work," Park said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Nurses, doctors and hospital staff treating the wounded</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 40 people were injured in the shooting, some needing urgent surgery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hospitals around Sydney suddenly looked like war zones, with a triage centre needing to be set up outside one emergency room after it became too crowded.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Doctors, nurses, surgeons and frontline medical staff had a long night and long days ahead as the wounded came pouring in.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some worked overnight and incredibly long hours to keep patients alive.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Now our clinicians and our nurses are doing incredible work at our state's hospitals, looking after those 38 people who are still in hospital and remain in various conditions," Park added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Australians who gave life-saving donations</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Lifeblood Australia issued an urgent call-out for donations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians arrived at their local donor centres in the thousands, with lines snaking out the door and up the block.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For those who felt powerless and helpless and wanted to do something, this offered a crucial purpose.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As they say, many hands make light work.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And people were so eager and ready to donate that Lifeblood's website temporarily crashed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Premier Chris Minns said blood donations are still needed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If you haven't got an appointment, if you can't get in immediately, we require your blood," Minns said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"To put this in perspective, for somebody in trauma, they may need 100 individual donations to save their life."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-injured-40-in-hospitals-across-sydney-news/241a8dfd-ca5f-4939-bab2-4de5478806ba" target="_blank"><strong><span>Families of injured police grateful to all who 'acted with courage' as 25 remain in hospital</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>The growing floral tributes</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bondi Beach has become a permanent vigil and growing floral tribute to the 15 innocent lives lost on Sunday, with countless bouquets laid at the Bondi Pavilion.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sydneysiders from around the city, politicians and grieving loved ones have come to pay their respects and to mourn, cry, pray and sing with each other.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Lemon Tree Grocer in Bondi offered free bunches of flowers to mourners and said in a sign that the owners "honour the good in our community and condemn all hatred".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Notes of hope and support have also been left at the scene.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>For people under 25 years old, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Both of these are available on a 24/7 basis.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>If you wish to donate blood, you can find your nearest donor centre</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.lifeblood.com.au/donor-centre" target="_blank" title=""><em><span>here</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>