Bondi Beach shooting hero's assault charges dropped by police

Police have withdrawn assault charges against Ahmed al Ahmed, who gained recognition for disarming a shooter at Bondi Beach in December.

Ahmed, who had been accused of domestic violence common assault, stalking, and intimidation following an alleged incident with his father in March at a residence in southwest Sydney, had consistently denied both charges.

The decision was announced on Wednesday at a Sydney court, where prosecutors dropped the charges. This came after an agreement was reached for Ahmed to comply with an apprehended domestic violence order for a year, which will restrict his interactions with his father.

Emerging from the court, the 44-year-old Ahmed expressed his relief to reporters, declaring himself a "free man" and expressing a desire for "peace."

According to national broadcaster ABC, defence lawyer Mohamed Sakr stated in court that Ahmed accepted the order—which prohibits him from assaulting, threatening, stalking, or intimidating his father—without making any admissions of guilt.

Ahmed garnered international attention last year when video footage showed him confronting one of two gunmen who opened fire during a Jewish event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, an attack that resulted in 15 fatalities.

He successfully disarmed Sajid Akram of a firearm but was subsequently shot multiple times by a second alleged gunman, Naveed Akram.

This incident was Australia's most lethal mass shooting in decades and was later classified by police as a terrorist act targeting the Jewish community.

In the aftermath of the shooting, a fundraiser collected over AU$2.5 million ($1.7 million; £1.24 million) for Ahmed. He also received a visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while recovering in the hospital.

Separately, two of Ahmed's brothers recently faced charges related to allegations that they threatened him and attempted to extort a portion of the donations he had received.