The man celebrated as the Bondi hero has publicly challenged Sky News Australia, escalating a bitter media controversy after he pulled out of a scheduled interview with the channel at the last minute.
A Disputed Narrative Emerges
Ahmed Al Ahmed, the Sydney tobacco shop owner who was shot while disarming a gunman during the deadly Bondi Beach attack on December 14, has accused the broadcaster of presenting a skewed version of events. The dispute centres on a planned sit-down interview with Sky News anchor Sharri Markson, which was arranged for shortly after his release from hospital over the Christmas weekend.
Sky News Australia claimed on Tuesday that, in return for the exclusive interview, they arranged and paid for a luxury suite at Crown Casino’s Barangaroo hotel, reportedly costing $6,000 per night. The channel stated that Mr Al Ahmed withdrew without explanation just before filming was due to begin, prompting them to publish an article detailing their preparations.
The Hero's Rebuttal on Social Media
Now, Mr Al Ahmed has responded via a newly created Instagram account, @ahmedalahmedsydneyhero. In a post on Wednesday, he accused Sky News of incomplete and inaccurate reporting. "The report published by Sky News does not fully reflect the facts and contains selective information that lacks accuracy," he wrote. He emphasised a commitment to professional journalism and presenting full facts, while reserving his legal rights. The post, which included the pointed remark "They didn't even care about my health condition!", was later deleted after the Daily Mail contacted Sky News for comment.
According to Sky News’s Head of Programs, Mark Calvert, the channel had gone to extensive lengths to accommodate Mr Al Ahmed's requests. This included sourcing six white doves for a memorial ceremony at Bondi, liaising with Jewish community members, and recalling staff from Christmas leave. Mr Calvert described the day of the cancelled interview as "frustrating" and at times "surreal".
A Day of Promises and Withdrawal
Calvert's account states that on the morning of the planned interview, Mr Al Ahmed showed Markson graphic photographs of his five bullet wounds and footage of him tackling the assailant. Over breakfast, Markson presented him with a silver Star of David necklace from the Jewish community. Calvert insists Mr Al Ahmed looked him in the eye and gave a "solemn promise" the interview would proceed.
However, after saying he needed to freshen up and greet his arriving parents, Mr Al Ahmed did not return. Calls and messages went unanswered. He later cited a need for pain medication and a hospital visit, proposing a 4pm reschedule. By that afternoon, his lawyer, Sam Issa, reportedly told Sky News that tensions had caused him to step down from representing his client. The interview never happened.
As Sky staff departed that evening, Calvert claims they saw Mr Al Ahmed returning from the Barangaroo dining precinct. He allegedly told them he felt let down by someone close to him and was too upset to continue. Despite the fallout, Mr Al Ahmed continued to receive visitors at the Crown suite, including Israel's Ambassador to Australia, Amir Mamon, and NSW Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday.
The incident has sparked debate about media management around Mr Al Ahmed, who was hailed for his bravery during the attack that killed 15 people. Footage showed him wrestling gunman Sajid Akram to the ground before being wounded in a police crossfire. He has since been discharged from hospital, where doctors removed a bullet and repaired nerve damage, though he may face permanent injury.
In a separate interview with CBS News from the same hotel suite, Mr Al Ahmed reflected on the title of 'hero'. "I know I saved lots of people's lives, innocent kids and women and men," he told journalist Anna Coren. "But I still feel sorry for the lost." His recovery is supported by his family, who have been granted visas to travel to Australia, and by the proceeds of a global fundraiser that raised $2.5 million from over 43,000 donations.
