Joe Biden tells Brandon Tsay, the hero who tackled California shooter: ‘You are America’
- The US president made a phone call to thank the 26-year-old who wrestled a firearm from the gunman at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra.
- Tsay said he was still processing what he did and experienced, and told Biden it was ‘so comforting’ to hear from him
US President Joe Biden phoned the 26-year-old who wrestled the gun away from a suspected mass shooter in California, telling him Thursday: “You are America.”
“I wanted to call and see how you’re doing and thank you for taking such incredible action in the face of danger,” Biden is heard telling Brandon Tsay on a recording of the call.
Biden posted himself on Twitter talking to Tsay, who wrestled the firearm from a 72-year-old man who walked into the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, California, during Lunar New Year celebrations this month.
Police say the armed man had minutes earlier shot dead 11 people at a different dance hall in nearby Monterey Park.
After Tsay managed to secure the gun in an extended tussle – captured on closed caption video later released by US media – the suspect left and the next morning shot himself dead as police closed in on his van.
“I don’t think you understand just how much you’ve done for so many people who are never even going to know you. But I want them to know more about you,” Biden said.
“You have my respect. You are America, pal,” the president said.
