The three American travelers said their actions were born out of gut instinct and a close bond forged over years of friendship.
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Three young men who disarmed a gunman on a high-speed train bound for Paris will get a heroes’ welcome in their hometown in California, the mayor of Sacramento said on Monday.
Sadler, 23, is a senior at Sacramento State, majoring in kinesiology.
A third American who helped thwart the attack, Anthony Sadler, returned to Sacramento, California, on Tuesday evening. He says the man kept pulling weapons out of his bag, and “seemed like he was ready to fight to the end”.
“The aggression that took place on Friday… which could have degenerated into a monstrous carnage…is fresh proof that we must prepare for other attacks and therefore protect ourselves”, said Hollande. “But we want to have the type of celebration he wants to have”. Both he and Skarlatos will arrive in Germany Monday afternoon, where Stone will receive additional medical treatment. In reality, the three buddies probably will not lack for invitations to fetes and parades, huge and small. Police and Stone said his injuries occurred when El-Khazzani brandished a boxcutter after his assault rifle was neutralized. “That’s on our wish list”. He is studying at the local community college and hopes for a career in law enforcement, said his stepmother Karen Skarlatos. The guardsman’s stepmother says he will stay in Germany until Stone is released, and then fly to New York with him.
Dickson said he, too, was returning from Europe and that he had made plans to meet Sadler during their European vacation. In a tale now recounted around the world, Stone tackled the man, Skarlatos wrestled the gun away, and all three beat him unconscious.
The suspect was identified as Ayoub El Khazzani, a 26-year-old Moroccan national who had already been flagged by Spanish authorities and linked to radical Islamist networks, according to CNN.
On Monday morning, the lads acquired France’s highest honor from President Francoise Hollande, together with a kiss on each cheeks.
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Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said he is “incredibly proud of the three heroes” and is looking forward to shaking their hands and thanking them when they return to the United States. “They are longtime friends, they did something that took incredible courage, and I think all of us can learn something from them”.
