The Frenchman who jumped into action during the Sydney mall attack on April 13 to help save civilians from a deranged killer has been offered permanent Australian residency.
Following his heroic act, Damien Guerot told Australian news networks that he was in the country on a work visa, which was due to expire in just a few months.
Guerot's attorney, Belinda Robinson, started a petition calling for him to be granted citizenship, according to People.
Shortly after the petition, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Guerot is "welcome here [in Australia]. You are welcome to stay for as long as you like," reports Sky News.
"This is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen, although that would of course be a loss for France," Albanese added.
Shortly after the announcement, Robinson confirmed the news that Guerot would be granted permanent residency and was now awaiting official documentation.
"He got a call from immigration, and the prime minister said that he can't give him citizenship, but we'll give him permanent residency," Robinson told SBS News.
"We're just waiting to hear back when that's going to become official."
The attack left six people dead while injuring 12 others, one of whom was a nine-month-old baby.
Guerot, who earned the name "Bollard Man," tried to prevent Joel Cauchi, 40, from hurting more people using a bollard during the Westfield Shopping Centre attack in Bondi Junction in Sydney.
Guerot and friend Silas Despreaux heard shouting when he then wielded a bollard, a sturdy post, at the attacker and blocked the top of the escalator from Cauchi.
"We just saw him coming. We were thinking, 'We need to try to stop him,'" Guerot said.
"We tried to throw the bollard. We really wanted to stop him," he added.
The men ultimately led police inspector Amy Scott to Cauchi, who then tried to stab her with his blade before she shot him.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
