Ahmed al Ahmed, the individual who disarmed one of the alleged attackers during an incident over the weekend, was presented with a check for $1.65 million on Friday. The funds were raised after tens of thousands of donors contributed via a fundraising website.

Video from Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in more than three decades depicts Ahmed concealed behind a parked vehicle before charging towards one of the assailants. He wrestled the firearm away, subdued the gunman, and held him at gunpoint, showing restraint by not firing. Ahmed sustained injuries from what appeared to be gunshots from a second perpetrator and is now recuperating in a hospital following surgery.

As he was given the large ceremonial check at St. George Hospital by Zachery Dereniowski, a social media influencer who co-organized the GoFundMe campaign, Ahmed questioned, “I deserve it?” Dereniowski affirmed, “Every penny.”

Ahmed’s statement to the 43,000 people who donated was to “stand with each other, all human beings. And forget everything bad behind the back, and keep going to save life.”

Notable contributors included billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who shared the fundraiser on his X account and donated $66,500, equivalent to A$99,999.

“When I save the people, I do it from the heart, because it was a nice day, everyone was enjoying themselves, celebrating with their kids, women, men, teenagers. Everyone was happy and they deserve to enjoy, and it’s their right,” Ahmed stated from his hospital bed. “This country. Best country in the world. But we’re not going to stand and keep watching. Enough is enough. God protect Australia. Aussie. Aussie. Aussie,” he added, raising a fist.

Ahmed, 43, an Australian citizen and father of two daughters, emigrated from Syria’s Idlib province approximately two decades ago to seek employment in Australia. His uncle, Mohammed al Ahmed, recognized his nephew from video of the heroic deed that spread online.

“We found out through social media. I contacted his father, who confirmed it was Ahmed. Ahmed is a hero, we’re proud of him. All of Syria is proud of him,” the uncle said in an interview with Reuters.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns paid a visit to Ahmed in the hospital to praise his courageous actions.

“Ahmed, you are an Australian hero. You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist,” Albanese posted on X, alongside a from his hospital meeting. “In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night. On behalf of every Australian, I say thank you.”

Former President Donald Trump also described Ahmed as a hero.

The attack was allegedly perpetrated by a father and son who are suspected of firing into crowds marking Hanukkah. The shooting resulted in 15 fatalities. The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was killed by police on a footbridge near Bondi Beach, while his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, sustained critical injuries and was hospitalized.

Victims included a 10-year-old girl, Matilda Britvan, who was present with family and friends, two rabbis, and an 87-year-old survivor of the Holocaust.