Admirers are heaping praise on an armed Marine veteran who stepped up Saturday night in Michigan and stopped a crazed attacker who was randomly stabbing Walmart customers.
Derrick Perry is being hailed as a hero today for pulling his firearm and ordering the suspect to drop his knife. Without the presence of a loaded handgun and his heroism, the tally of 11 victims injured could have been far worse.
It took an armed customer to stop the horrifying stabbing spree
Investigators identified the suspect as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille.
Authorities are struggling to find a motive in the mass stabbing, which targeted shoppers at the Traverse City store ranging in age from 29 to 85. None of the unfortunate victims suffered what are believed to be life-threatening injuries.
The chaos erupted just before 5 p.m. when the suspect, who is described as having a history of drug problems and vandalism, allegedly began stabbing shoppers with a folding knife.
Six of his victims were initially described as being in critical condition before being upgraded by Munson Medical Center.
Armed shopper hailed as a hero for ignoring danger and ending the attack
Multiple customers began trying to corner Gille and force him to exit the store. Witness Angela Helfrich told Click on Detroit: “It was just very panicky, very scary. I’ve never witnessed anything like that, and I’ve lived in Traverse City my whole life.”
She added that the violence was “way too close.”
Out of all the panic and fear, a hero emerged. Derrick Perry did not run from danger, and he did not wait for first responders to sort through the mess and figure out who the bad guy was.
Instead, he pulled his weapon and held the suspect at gunpoint. This was an act of courage that undoubtedly saved more people from being injured or even killed.
No one would have batted an eye if Perry had joined the doubtlessly panicked throng of shoppers getting as far away from the violence as possible. He would not have been publicly shamed and could have just gone on with his day.
But the former Marine, who had the presence of mind to be armed, chose to confront the danger and put his life on the line for others. Accolades and honors are pouring in for this hero, and rightfully so.
And he didn’t even fire a shot.
Another former Marine and witness, Matt Kolakowski, told CNN that he quickly realized the disadvantage he faced by not being armed.
“I thought to myself, ‘Well, I don’t got no weapon, so what am I going to do?” Kolakowski asked. “So, I just grabbed an empty grocery cart and just took off after him as hard as I could.”
Grand Traverse Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters on Sunday that the effort to subdue the attacker “was amazing.”
“First of all, I commend them. It’s not very often that we have citizens that are willing to step up and take action, and I ask that we grant them the privacy that they need right now,” Shea explained. “If they choose to make a public statement, they will. But I would ask that we all just give them a little space and say, attaboy.”
Several social media users responded to the soon-viral video of the frightening confrontation.
“Thank you, Derrick! You are a hero!” posted one on X. “An incredible American!” chimed in another, and the Overheard in Traverse City social media page heaped its praise on the new celebrity.
“This is Derrick Perry! He is the hero from today’s stabbing in Walmart; he is the man that took his gun out and risked his own life to save so many lives! Thank you so much, Derrick!”
A Facebook user gushed, “Thank you for being selfless! You are a true hero, and this town is blessed for people like you. This is what makes our town a true community! We have the best people, and we will never let something like this define us.”
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