PARIS – Mark Moogalian, one of the heroes, who helped tackle gunman Ayoub El-Khazzani on August 21 aboard the Amsterdam-Paris train, was awarded with France’s highest honor for bravery by French President Francois Hollande. at the Élysée Palace on Sunday.
Moogalian, 51, was the first to wrestle the gunmen, he acted instinctively to protect his wife, Isabella Risacher who was on board the train with him. He managed to take the rifle away from El-Khazzani, the assailant, who, however, appeared to be holding another gun from which he later shot Moogalian in the neck. Three US citizens, as well as a British businessman who were on board the train rushed to help to render El-Khazzani harmless. Moogalian was later taken to a hospital where he spent several days until recovery.
