'Absolute legend': Observers hail 'hard as nails' man who wrestled gun from mass shooter

The mass shooting in Australia Sunday was thwarted, in part, by what appears to be a man wrestling the suspected gunman to the ground and taking his firearm, a video of which has gone viral on social media and garnered praise from thousands.

“Absolute legend,” wrote Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, in a social media post Sunday on X.

“Extraordinary heroism from a bystander,” wrote another, Marc Polymeropoulos, a retired CIA senior officer, in a social media post on X Sunday. “An instinctive need to act. Saved numerous lives.”

Sunday’s deadly shooting was perpetrated by two gunmen according to multiple news outlets, and took place on Australia’s Bondi Beach during an event celebrating the start of Hanukkah. The shooting, which many have labeled to be a direct attack on Australia’s Jewish community, killed at least 12 people and injured at least 29.

Video quickly circulated on social media of a man charging and tackling one of the gunmen, and wrestling their firearm out of their hands. The Australian reported that the man had been identified as a 43-year-old fruit-shop owner, and that he was shot twice – in the hand and in the shoulder – and is currently undergoing surgery.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already given what appears to be a nod to the bystander in praising Australians who had “run towards danger in order to help others.”

A relative of the man told Australia’s Seven News that the man had no experience with firearms, something that left many shocked.

“Really expected to hear he had a military background,” wrote X user “festiveSG,” who’s followed by former President Barack Obama and has amassed more than 6,400 followers. “Bro just hard as f------ nails.”