BLOOMINGTON, Minn — The family who runs Co Tu Oriental Cuisine in Bloomington has gone through a lot since a deadly shooting happened in their restaurant the day before Thanksgiving.
But they want their customers to know that they are going to be OK.
On Wednesday, their doors remained closed to the public. But the owners say they are open to healing.
"We're okay," said Thao Trinh, part-owner and chef at the restaurant.
She was there at the time of the shooting and watched her son, who was serving at the time, try to protect a long-time customer who was targeted by the shooter.
Trinh's sister, Mai Trinh, translated for her.
Through Mai Trinh, Thao Trinh said she was worried about her two boys in the restaurant when the shooter came through the doors. Her older son was shot and she was only relieved when he stood up again.
"Her son is better," said Mai Trinh."But the wound is still painful."
"Right now, we're still always thinking about what happened on that day." said Thao Trinh.
Thao said her son is back home resting. He tried to protect the longtime customer and family friend who was at the restaurant.
"We love him he's a good person," said Mai Trinh. "He supports us anytime we have a slow day and he said to call him to come over and then we get more customers."
"I can't believe that he gone in front of me," said Trinh.
They're doing everything they can to honor him. Mai Trinh said keeping with Buddhist traditions, they will leave a temple out for the man who was killed in their restaurant for 49 days.
Flowers on the temple were left by customers. The owners say they've received a lot of support from them and the Vietnamese community.
"She wants to say that she wants to recover as fast as we can," said Mai Trinh as she translated for her sister, Thao, "And that we love co to customers and like the customers or community when to come back and support us again.
They do not know when they will feel ready to once again open their doors but hope it will be soon.
While they want their customers to know they are doing alright, they could use help with medical expenses. They have opened a GoFundMe for Thao Trinh's son.
Thao Trinh's husband, Cuong Au, said he is very thankful to the Bloomington Police Department.
He said because of the officers, his son is home safe.