Armenian-American academic was the mystery man who tackled rifle

The French-American academic, 51, was in a hospital recovering from a gunshot wound.

Moogalian’s wife, Isabelle, told Europe-1 radio that U.S. Airman Spencer Stone came across the wounded Moogalian and stanched the bleeding by holding his finger on the wound.

His father and brother would like to witness that honor.

At a ceremony on Monday, French president François Hollande presented three Americans and a Briton with France’s highest honor for subduing the gunman, while Moogalian was being treated in Lille for the injuries he sustained during the attack.

Mark Moogalian and spouse have been seated dealing with one another on the high-speed practice when she noticed exclusively his expression and the pressing “Get out, that is critical”. That person, Hollande said, wished to remain anonymous. “They gave us an example of what is possible to do in these kinds of situations”.

A professor originally from Virginia was revealed as the first passenger on a Paris-bound high-speed train to confront a terrorist who was hellbent on inflicting mass casualties.

Prosecutor Francois Molins said Tuesday the decision to open an investigation was based on the actions by 26-year-old Moroccan suspect Ayoub El-Khazzani on the train Friday night and information from other European authorities about his travels and apparent links to radical Islam.

“It was very fearless, not thinking of himself and he probably helped save a lot of people and i’m proud to be his cousin”, said Harry Moogalian. “I think he really saved my husband’s life”.

During the struggle over the rifle, the suspect shot Moogalian in the neck with a Luger.

“I literally and I know it’s going to sound cliché but I literally saw my life flash before my eyes”, American passenger Christina Coons told ABC News today.

She added: “I did not see my husband get shot, it happened too quickly and I was pretty much hiding behind seats. There was blood everywhere”.

I’m not ready to die, ‘ ” she told CNN’s “New Day” amid tears.

“My brother may not still be here if it weren’t for him”, she said.

Moogalian, who’s lived in France for more than 20 years, had remained unknown until Sunday, when he was identified by British newspapers.

As an adult he moved to France where he worked as a translator and English teacher for business professionals. Music and artwork are clearly his passions, as his private web site attests, with its vary of sculpture, work, photographs and downloads of music he performs in a duo together with his spouse.

Moogalian has dual citizenship and has been living in France for nearly two decades, Julia Moogalian said.

“He said he and his friend took down a terrorist on a train heading to Paris“.