Brandon Tsay (born 1996 or 1997) is an American hobbyist computer programmer who disarmed the 2023 Monterey Park shooting gunman.
Brandon Tsay | |
|---|---|
 Tsay in 2023 | |
| Born | 1996 or 1997 (age 27–28) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Pasadena City College |
| Known for | Disarming the 2023 Monterey Park shooter |
Personal life
editHe was born in 1996 or 1997[1] to father Tom Tsay and mother Yvonne Hwei Fung Lin, a first-generation American whose mother is from Taiwan.[2] She died of lung cancer in December 2017.[2]
He attended Pasadena City College and lives in San Marino.[2]
Tsay was job-seeking[3] while working at his parents' Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra.[1]
Monterey Park shooting
editOn January 21, 2023, Tsay wrestled a pistol from Huu Can Tran in the midst of the 2023 Monterey Park shooting.[1] Police credited Tsay with preventing more shootings and a larger death toll.[4] The local police department awarded Tsay a medal of courage for his actions.[5]
Tsay appeared on CNN, Good Morning America and in the New York Times talking about his intervention.[2][4] United States Representative Judy Chu honored Tsay at a city of Alhambra Lunar New Year ceremony in February 2023 saying that "The carnage would have been so much worse had it not been for Brandon Tsay."[4] California Governor Gavin Newsom visited Tsay after the event.[2] US President Joe Biden invited Tsay to the 2023 State of the Union Address.[4] Tsay attended as a guest of Jill Biden.[6] President Biden thanked Tsay for his life-saving actions, before Congress gave him a standing ovation.[6]
Tsay collaborated with the Asian Pacific Community Fund to launch the Brandon Tsay Hero Fund, aiming to help local community causes.[4][3]
Monterey Park City Council honored Tsay on February 15, 2023.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Monterey Park shooting: Brandon Tsay who disarmed gunman had never seen a real gun". BBC News. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ a b c d e "Brandon Tsay disarmed a mass killer. Where does he go from here?". Los Angeles Times. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ a b California dance hall hero wants to use his platform to help his community heal, February 2, 2023, Leila Fadel, NPR
- ^ a b c d e "State of the Union: How Brandon Tsay is using his sudden fame". BBC News. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ "Who is State of the Union guest Brandon Tsay, hero of the Monterey Park shooting?". The Independent. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ a b "State of the Union: How Brandon Tsay is shouldering the spotlight". BBC News. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Monterey Park City Council Honors Brandon Tsay". NBC Los Angeles. 16 Feb 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-16.