'You Are America': Biden Calls Young Man Who Disarmed Shooter in Monterey Park
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US President Joe Biden called 26-year-old Brandon Tsay on Thursday, January 28, to thank him for disarming the Monterey Park mass shooting suspect after he entered a dance studio in Alhambra, California, on Saturday, January 21.
According to local news reports, surveillance footage from the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra captured Tsay confronting and disarming the suspect, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran.
“You are America, pal. You are who we are. America has never backed down. We’ve always stepped up because of people like you,” Biden said.
Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot on January 22 as police surrounded his vehicle in a shopping center parking lot in Torrance.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on January 23 that the death toll from the shooting rose to 11. Credit: President Joe Biden via Storyful
Video Transcript
JOE BIDEN: How are you, pal? This is Joe Biden.
BRANDON TSAY: President Biden, hello.
JOE BIDEN: I wanted to call to see how you're doing and thank you for taking such incredible action in the face of danger. I don't think you understand just how much you've done for so many people who are never going to even know you. But I want them to know more about you.
BRANDON TSAY: I'm still processing, you know, what I did and what I experienced. For you to call, that's just so comforting for me.
JOE BIDEN: Well, you have my respect. You are America, pal. You are who we are.
BRANDON TSAY: Thank you.
JOE BIDEN: No, no. You are. You are who we are. America has never backed down. We've always stepped up because of people like you.
BRANDON TSAY: I appreciate your words of kindness. Thank you, President Biden.
JOE BIDEN: Well, they're more than words.
BRANDON TSAY: I so appreciate that you are able to speak with me right now.
JOE BIDEN: OK, pal. I'll be talking to you soon. My best to your family and we'll be back to you, OK? Keep the faith, pal. Bye bye.
BRANDON TSAY: You have a nice day. Stay safe.
JOE BIDEN: You too.
BRANDON TSAY: And do America justice.
JOE BIDEN: We're going to give it hell, man. Thanks. Talk to you. Bye bye.
