CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Today, the Midlothian man who helped stop a gunman on a train in France will be honored here at home.
The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors will be honoring Mark Moogalian at a meeting later Wednesday.
The resolution states, “His bravery, and that of three others who also stepped in to help stop the assailant, prevented other passengers from being injured or killed.” It goes on to call Moogalian a “true American hero.” Click here to read the resolution.
The attempted train attack he helped thwart made headlines around the world.
Moogalian graduated from Midlothian High School and moved to France a few years ago. He was on a train to Paris back in August when a gunman was about to open fire on passengers. Investigators say the suspect, Ayoub El-Khazzani, walked out of a bathroom with an AK-47. Moogalian was the first person to confront the gunman, tackling him and wrestling his rifle away.
“He was lucky he didn’t die,” said Harry Moogalian, Mark’s cousin. “It was very brave, not thinking of himself and he probably helped save a lot of people.”
Three more Americans were able to take the suspect down but not before the assailant slashed one of them with a box cutter.
During the struggle, Moogalian was shot. He suffered from nerve damage and is still recovering from his injuries. Moogalian’s dad, Charles, tells 8News that Mark has several months of physical therapy ahead. Charles will accept the honor for his son at today’s meeting.
The meeting begins at 3 p.m.
Stay with 8News for continuing coverage of this developing story.
