The Los Angeles County sheriff has paid tribute to the man who wrestled a gun away from him Photography by Monterey Park Before he could carry out a second attack – he described himself as a “hero” who had “saved countless lives”.
At a news conference Monday, Sheriff Robert Luna said Brandon Tsai confronted the suspect, 72-year-old Hou Kan Tran, in the lobby of the dance hall run by the Tsai family, the Lay Lay Ballroom in the Alhambra.
“I would like to take a second to thank Mr. Brandon Tsai for his heroic work that has saved countless lives,” Luna said. “He is the hero who disarmed the suspect at the Alhambra site and in my opinion saved many lives.”
“What a brave man he is,” the sheriff added.
The gunman shot and killed 11 people Celebration of the Lunar New Year At the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park Saturday night.
Investigators say he then left the scene and traveled a few miles, entering the Lai Lai Hall in the Alhambra about 20 to 30 minutes later. Tsai can be seen on surveillance footage grabbing the gun away from him.
Al-Sharif said the gun was identified as a “MAC-10 9mm Semi-Automatic Assault Rifle.”
Los Angeles County Superintendent Hilda Solis also thanked Tsai for his heroic actions Saturday night.
She said of Tsai: “I think this individual is a hero to all of us.” “The person who put their lives on the line and actually prevented more deaths is a hero in my books.”
Thanks for reading CBS News.
Create your free account or login
for more features.
[ad_2]
