Bryan Tecun, the owner of a food truck in Long Beach, California, called Bryan’s Birrieria, has been hospitalized for stab wounds after attempting to stop a thief who he saw assaulting and robbing an elderly woman. Fortunately, he is alive, but still having to recover from the vicious wounds inflicted on him by the alleged robber.
According to local media outlet Fox 11 LA, Mr. Tecun was driving home when he saw an elderly woman being robbed and assaulted. Acting on instinct and desiring to help the vulnerable, even at the risk of his own personal safety, Mr. Tecun hopped out of the car and raced toward the scene of the crime to help save the woman from the alleged robber.
Fortunately, Mr. Tecun’s race into action scared the alleged thief and robber away from the elderly woman before she could be injured more, and he fled to a nearby park. Mr. Tecun raced after him and tackled him, bringing him to the ground. At that point the alleged thief used a knife to start stabbing Mr. Tecun, stabbing him once between the neck and shoulder and once in his rib cage.
Initially, Mr. Tecun felt okay and dismissed attempts to get him medical attention, as he thought the wounds were not severe. But then he started feeling dizzy and sweating. He said, “Police arrived, and they asked me to stay for medical aid, but I didn’t think it was anything too severe.” He continued, “I started sweating a lot, started feeling dizzy as I was driving.”
He eventually made it to the hospital and, once there, found that he had sustained major injuries, including a collapsed lung and internal bleeding. Despite those severe injuries, Mr. Tecun is expected to make a full recovery from his stab wounds.
Commenting on why he rushed into action despite the danger of doing so, Mr. Tecun noted that he hopes someone would do the same for his vulnerable family members if they are ever in such a dangerous situation, particularly his mother. He said, “I wouldn’t ever like for something like that to happen to one of my relatives or to my mom. I would hope somebody would step in.”
A GoFundMe has been created to help pay for Mr. Tecun’s medical expenses. It provides, “On March 11th Bryan better known as Bryan’s Birrieria known to help & feed his Long Beach community was leaving work. He noticed a olderly Lady being assaulted and Rob off of Ocean Blvd and Pine Ave where he has been operating his food truck.”
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It continues, “Bryan Assisted the Lady and couldn’t let the man get away , after a brief altercation with the assailant he was able to Recover the stole property. While helping he was stabbed twice, once in the Rib Cage collapsing his lung and as well right between his Neck & shoulder being nearly fatal where he was bleeding out internally. Bryan Stated he did not notice he was stabbed and just felt as if his Shoulder was dislocated, he proceeded to Drive his food truck off feeling worse and worse. By the Blessing of God he pull over and decided to call 911 for an Ambulance. Donation will Cover Medical Bills, Home Care , Therapy, as well As Food Truck Bills for 1 month till he recovers. Thank you again for all donations, prayers, and mental uplifts!”
Watch Mr. Tecun speak about the incident here, in local media outlet KTLA’s report on the matter:
Featured image credit: GoFundMe