Brandon Tsay, who stopped a gunman from continuing to attack patrons at a Southern California dance studio on Lunar New Year’s Eve, is expected to attend the State of the Union address Tuesday as President Joe Biden’s guest.
On Instagram late Sunday, Tsay, 26, of Alhambra, California, shared stories about his travels by train from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. with his dad. The family has owned Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra for decades.
‘Thank you, Brandon’:Hero who wrestled gun from Monterey Park killer honored at Lunar New Year Festival
As the gunman prepared to fire on patrons at the dance hall late on Jan. 21, he encountered Tsay in the lobby. Tsay, who had never previously seen a gun in real life, heard the metallic click of one about to be fired and realized lives were on the line.
He sprung into action.
How Brandon Tsay stopped the Monterey Park shooting suspect
Security footage shows Tsay wrestling with the gunman, grabbing at the pistol, punching and using his elbows to try to eventually disarm him. Police said Tsay’s bravery ended the rampage of a shooter who took at least 11 lives earlier that night at the nearby Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park.
Horror and heroism:Scenes from the shooting in Monterey Park ballrooms
The shooter, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, later killed himself as he was surrounded by police.
Tsay has been honored for his actions – receiving a medal of courage and other recognition from the Alhambra police, as well as other city, county and state officials. He was praised for his actions by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, visited by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and spoke by phone with Biden.
On Instagram, he has written messages about what happened, posted about attending a vigil and tried to focus attention on the victims – many of whom he knew personally.
Tami Abdollah is a USA TODAY national correspondent. Send tips via direct message on Twitter @latams or email tami(at)usatoday.com
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