President Joe Biden highlights Brandon Tsay’s heroism to push for stricter gun legislation
Loved ones, Alhambra community rally around Brandon Tsay's invitation to U.S. Capitol
It was a proud moment for the Alhambra community as their beloved Brandon Tsay, the young man credited with stopping the Monterey Park mass shooter, received a seat in President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address.
WASHINGTON (KTTV) - During his State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden gave Brandon Tsay a shutout for his heroic actions in stopping the suspected Monterey Park mass shooter.
President Biden recognized Tsay, 26, for putting "his college dreams on hold to be at his mom's side" when his mother was battling cancer. President Biden then shared Tsay's story with the nation, recalling the night the 26-year-old stopped 72-year-old Huu Can Tran in Alhambra.
"He saw a man standing there pointing semiautomatic pistol at him. He thought he was going to die. But he thought about the people inside, and that is that he found the courage to act and wrestled a semi-automatic pistol away from the gunman who had already killed 11 people in another dance studio," President Biden said.
President Biden then used Tsay's quick-thinking actions as a rallying cry to push for stricter gun laws.
"He saved lives," President Biden said. "Ban assault weapons now."
Alhambra community rallies around one of their own
Bacl home in Los Angeles County, the Tsay family watched the State of the Union Address at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio, the exact place in Alhambra where Brandon disarmed the shooter.
"I am very happy, and proud [of Brandon]," said Joyce, Brandon's grandmother, who opened the dance studio 30 years ago.
Brandon's sister, Brenda Tsay, helped translate the rest of what her grandmother said.
"My grandma thinks that it was very dangerous and he was very brave but she felt like it was a very dangerous situation that she would never want him in," said Brenda.
Brenda said she is honored to watch her brother at the State of the Union.
"I feel very honored and so happy for him because I've known Brandon my whole life and he is very kind and he does deserve to go to the State of the Union," said Brenda.
Brenda said there is still a "hole" in the community following the mass shooting, and it is still difficult for her to speak about the incident with her brother.
"It was a big gun and it just occurred to me that Brandon almost died and I was angry a bit at myself for not being there, but I couldn't imagine if Brandon ended up, I can't," said Brenda, stopping herself from going further.
Brenda said Brandon has always protected their family and has stepped in to help manage Lai Lai.
"He is a hero. It's just when I look at him, I just see my brother so I'm glad he's there [at the State of the Union], and I hope he makes a difference," said Brenda
Tsay was one of the guests invited to the U.S. Capitol to watch the State of the Union Address. The Alhambra man was spotted next to U2 in the House Chamber.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Monterey Park hero Brandon Tsay at Biden's State of the Union next to U2's Bono
In addition to Tsay and Lo, family members of the victims of the Lunar New Year massacre also made their way to the U.S. Capitol as invited guests.