Brandon Tsay
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|---|---|
Tsay in 2023
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| Born | 1996 or 1997 (age 27–28) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Pasadena City College |
| Known for | Disarming the 2023 Monterey Park shooter |
Brandon Tsay (born 1996 or 1997) is an American hobbyist computer programmer who disarmed the 2023 Monterey Park shooting gunman.
He 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]
On 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]
