On Sunday evening, Amandeep Singh-Bola went out to get a kebab and watch as the sun set over Bondi Beach after a work Christmas event. He didn’t anticipate that he would end up jumping on top of one of the alleged gunmen behind the terror attack that day, which targeted a Hanukkah event and killed 15 innocent people.He heard the gunshots, initially dismissing them as fireworks, before seeing people panicking and running away.Immediately, Singh-Bola felt a sense of anger surge through him, prompted by his love for Bondi and the community.It’s what fuelled the 34-year-old personal trainer to run down the hill towards the alleged gunmen — who have been identified by police as father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram — in an effort to stop them.
“I wanted to help get one of [the alleged shooters] down, or just help anybody that needed help, because a lot of people were scared,” he told SBS World News.
Singh-Bola said he saw the gunman alleged to be Sajid Akram on a footbridge, noticed him drop down, and thought: “I’ll run now, I’ll get up there now, and hopefully I can hold him down”.He thought of his fiancée and family, promising himself not to “be stupid and run out there like an idiot”.“I wanted to be as smart as I could,” he said. “It was almost like tunnel vision — just trying to hide behind things and not be seen, just trying to find out where he was. Once I saw where he was, nothing else really mattered.”Amandeep ran onto the bridge where the alleged shooter was firing at people, pinning him down with the help of a police officer.
“I jumped on top of [the shooter] and grabbed his arms. The police officer helped me and said not to let him go.”
He said the gunman was shot by police at that point. While Singh-Bola lay on top of him, he could feel him dying.“When I got up, I wasn’t sick from the blood or anything,” he said.“I had just smashed back a kebab with spicy sauce on it, so I was actually sick from the run down. I laid down for a bit because the adrenaline was wearing off, and I was feeling it pretty bad.”Singh-Bola said he hasn’t slept well since the attack, but finds comfort in knowing that he helped.“I’m just glad that we got to them straight away and no more people were harmed,” he said.
“I didn’t feel like I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I felt like I was at the right place at the right time. I’m glad I could help.”
Everyday heroes
Amandeep is just one of the many heroes to emerge from Sunday’s terrorist attack. He says he’s inspired by Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the Syrian-born shop owner who disarmed one of the gunmen when he ripped a gun out of their hands, who he said was “the type of hero” people needed.
Al-Ahmed remains in recovery at a Sydney hospital, where he has been visited and thanked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“At a moment where we have seen evil perpetrated, he shines out as an example of the strength of humanity,” Albanese said after visiting him on Tuesday. “Ahmed Al-Ahmed represents the best of our country.”Singh-Bola also praised the police, saying they had done an “awesome job” in response to the attack.“They were there so quick … all the first responders, all the surf lifesavers, those guys are unsung heroes too.”
“I just wanted to make sure I could join in and help them out if they needed it.”
‘Don’t fight hate with hate’
Sunday’s attack on a Hanukkah event on the first day of the holiday has sent shockwaves through the country, particularly the Jewish community.“It was a Jewish event, and they’re heartbroken. I’m heartbroken for them,” Singh-Bola said.
“At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. Nobody should have to lose their lives, especially out celebrating something like we’re out celebrating Christmas lunch.”
Singh-Bola, who was born in New Zealand to Indian and New Zealand parents, said he was comforted by how many people of different cultures helped him or who he saw helping each other after the attack.“There was a couple of girls that saw the shooters get out and we were giving each other comfort. They were Maori or islander. A French guy that gave me some coconut water. There were these two African guys that were making sure I was okay. They didn’t leave my side,” he said.“I think that was the only comfort in it, that’s what Bondi and Australia is a whole. It’s multicultural. That’s what it’s built off, and people helping each other … we have such strong community with everybody”.Singh-Bola said it was important for people to support one another in the coming weeks and to understand that you “can’t fight hate with hate”.“There’s no need for it. You’ve got to be compassionate. You’ve got to love. And it’s a real important reminder that now, more than ever, we need each other.”
