ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla.-- A member of a Zephyrhill's AMVETS post is being called a hero after stopping an active shooter.
- Man stops active shooter at AMVET post
- Daigle honored with heroism award
- Will also be honored at national convention in Orlando
Bruce Daigle stopped the gunman after he opened fire inside a bar at the AMVETS Post 550.
It all started on the night of June 8, a popular time at the bar.
"All of the sudden we heard a bang. I thought it was firecracker," Daigle said.
He looked down and saw that someone standing at the bar had been shot by another patron at the bar.
"I thought he had killed him. The way his head was down," Daigle said.
As others rushed to help the victim who was shot in the back of the neck, Bruce jumped into action, grabbing the man who had opened fire.
"I reached down and grabbed his wrist that had the gun. Jerked it to the side, grabbed him by the back of the neck, slid him to the bar face first and held him," Daigle said.
He held the man down until Pasco deputies arrived.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office charged 75-year-old Thomas Papineau with attempted homicide.
It's still not clear why he started shooting in the crowded bar, but Daigle's actions kept the gunman from firing again.
"You always hear about these shootings where 10 or 12 people get shot. If it weren't for Bruce's actions, who knows if that would have happened here," said Post Commander Norman Yakes.
In the two weeks since, Florida AMVETS honored Daigle with something they've never given before: A Heroism Award.
"You've got to recognize the heroism. He did put his life in danger to help every member of this post," said Florida Commander Terry Corson.
Daigle says he'd do it again if he had to he just wanted to make sure no one else got hurt.
"Just wanted to get control of the handgun so he couldn’t harm anyone else. He was right in front of me, it was second nature," Daigle said.
The gunshot victim is recovering.
Daigle will also be honored at the national AMVETS Convention in Orlando.