The dance social at Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio was almost over Saturday night time, with only a few individuals left on the ballroom ground. Brandon Tsay, whose household owns the Alhambra studio and who works on the ticket workplace, was within the foyer wanting into the studio when he heard the entrance door shut, adopted by the sound of steel clinking, he stated.
“That’s after I rotated and noticed there was an Asian man holding a gun,” Tsay advised ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “My first thought was I used to be gonna die right here. This was it.”
Tsay stated the person gave the impression to be wanting across the room “for targets” and “individuals to hurt.”
In interviews with the New York Occasions and ABC, the 26-year-old stated that he lunged on the man with each his palms, setting off a battle within the foyer for management of the gun. “I wanted to take this weapon, disarm him or else all people would have died,” Tsay advised “Good Morning America.”
The gunman was hitting him throughout the face and bashing the again of his head, he stated. Tsay stated he ultimately shoved the person apart and grabbed the gun. He pointed it on the man and yelled, “Get the hell out of right here!” he stated. “I’ll shoot, get away! Go!”
He stated the person lingered for a number of moments earlier than strolling out the door and stepping into his van. Tsay stated he known as police “with the gun nonetheless in my hand.”
He advised ABC that he didn’t acknowledge the person.
Tsay stated he was unaware that simply 20 minutes earlier, the gunman, recognized by authorities as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran of Hemet, had killed 10 individuals and injured a number of others when he opened hearth in a crowded ballroom in close by Monterey Park.
The loss of life toll rose to 11 Monday, after the Los Angeles County Division of Well being Companies introduced in an announcement that one of many victims being handled at LAC+USC Medical Middle succumbed to their accidents.
Tom Tsay, Brandon’s father, rushed to the Alhambra dance studio after studying in regards to the taking pictures, gripped with concern.
“The very first thing I did was ask whether or not Brandon was OK,” Tsay stated in an interview outdoors of the household’s San Marino dwelling early Monday, including that his daughter reassured him Brandon was protected.
It wasn’t till a lot later that he realized of his son’s heroism, he stated.
“I’m very proud,” Tsay stated. “That night time was a tragedy. It may have been a lot worse if he wasn’t disarmed.”
Brandon Tsay was sleeping as his father spoke with reporters Monday.
The gunman had walked into Lai Lai “in all probability with the intent to kill two extra individuals,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated in a information convention Sunday.
Luna, who stated Sunday that it was “two neighborhood members” who disarmed the suspect, officers and others in California and throughout the nation have recommended Tsay as a hero, stressing that his actions prevented additional tragedy.
“Lots of people have been telling me how a lot braveness I had,” Tsay stated. “Braveness is just not the absence of concern, however fairly the power to have adversity to concern when fearful occasions occur resembling this.”
He stated his coronary heart went out to all of the victims, households and neighborhood members. “I hope they might discover the braveness and the energy to persevere,” he stated.
