Injuries and Aftermath
Family members say al Ahmad was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the hand, and required emergency surgery.
“He has two shots, one in his arm here and one in his hands,” a cousin told reporters. “He is a 100 percent hero.”
Despite his injuries, al Ahmad remained at the scene long enough to ensure the attacker could not immediately resume firing.
Why He Didn’t Fire
Social media speculation has suggested al Ahmad may not have fired because he had never handled a firearm and may not have known how to reload the rifle, believed to be a Beretta bolt-action–style weapon.
Authorities have not confirmed that theory, and police have not suggested that al Ahmad’s restraint was improper or unsafe. From a public-safety standpoint, experts note that firing a seized weapon in a crowded environment can introduce significant risk of additional casualties.
Deadly Attack Under Investigation
Police say two men opened fire during the public religious celebration, killing 12 people, including a rabbi and a child. The attack is being treated as a terrorist act, and counterterrorism units remain actively involved.
Investigators have not yet released the identities of all suspects or clarified whether additional accomplices are being sought.
