In the process of confronting the attacker, Al Ahmed suffered serious injuries.He was shot twice and later underwent surgery while doctors worked to stabilize his condition.
As news of his bravery spread, support poured in from around the world.
Social media personality Zachery Dereniowski helped organize a fundraising campaign through GoFundMe to assist Al Ahmed during his recovery and to recognize his actions during the attack.
The campaign generated significant attention and raised millions of dollars.
In one widely shared moment, Dereniowski visited Al Ahmed in the hospital and surprised him with a symbolic check representing more than $2.5 million in donations contributed by supporters.
Speaking from his hospital bed at the time, Al Ahmed said he acted instinctively because he could not stand by while innocent people were being attacked.“When I do save the people, I do it from the heart because it was a nice day, everyone was enjoying, celebrating with their kids,” he said.
“Woman, man, teenager, all of this, everyone was happy and they deserve to enjoy and it’s their right.”
