A heroic shopper stepped in to save the lives of terrified locals at a Walmart after a deranged knifeman stabbed 11 people in a ‘terror’ rampage.
The man, identified as former Marine Derrick Perry, pulled out a concealed firearm and held knifeman Bradford James Gille at gunpoint until officers arrived at the scene.
The 42-year-old Gille had already stabbed 11 people inside the Michigan Walmart and is facing charges of terrorism and assault with intent to murder, according to Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg.
But bystanders credited Perry for potentially saving the lives of many more shoppers. His intervention stopped Gille in his tracks and gave frightened onlookers a chance to flee.
Grand Traverse Sheriff Sheriff Michael Shea acknowledged the heroic actions of several men on Sunday, adding: ‘I would ask that we all just give them a little space and say atta boy.’
‘For all of those people that were involved – First of all, I commend them. It’s not very often that we have citizens that are willing to step up and take action.’
While Shea did not reference Perry by name, he did acknowledge he had seen the video and the viral comments praising the heroic men involved.
He said they would come forward and make a public statement in their own time if they wished to do so, and celebrated the ‘collaboration that took place.’
The hero, identified as former Marine Derrick Perry, pulled out a concealed weapon and held knifeman Bradford James Gille at gunpoint until officers arrived at the scene
The suspect, a 42-year-old Michigan resident, is seen being confronted by ordinary shoppers after he rampaged through the Walmart
‘From the citizen involvement to all emergency services, to our transport teams, to Munson Medical Center, to the media, it is unbelievable,’ he said.
‘Lets just give them some space… grant them the privacy they need right now… and say atta boy.’
Supporters online praised Perry for carrying a concealed firearm and being prepared to use the weapon responsibly.
‘This is what the Second Amendment is all about,’ one supporter said, praising Perry for his heroic actions.
‘You are a true hero and this town is blessed for people like you,’ another wrote.
Perry’s daughter described her father’s instinct to help as a ‘proud daughter moment’, while his daughter-in-law added that he is a ‘true hero.’
‘So proud of him for protecting so many,’ she added.
Others are calling for him to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Bradford James Gille, 42, faces charges of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder over the attack in Traverse City
Gille allegedly entered the store during a calm shopping afternoon and randomly stabbed the victims with a folding pocket knife, authorities say
Video circulating on social media showed the terrifying moment Gille confronted the knife-wielding madman in the parking lot of the Walmart.
Perry, along with several other men, cornered Gille in the car park and forced him to drop his weapon.
The suspect looked stunned as the tables quickly turned on him. Another man was armed with a shopping cart as he helped to corner Gille.
In the chaos, one of the brave men lost his shoes as he shouted: ‘Throw the knife away! Throw it away!
Another shouted: ‘Get on the ground!’
‘Drop the knife! Drop it!’ another bellowed.
Gille backed away slowly until one of the men tackled and subdued him.
Police later said he kept repeating: ‘I don’t care. I don’t care.’
Moeggenberg, the county prosecutor, told reporters that the terrorism charge will be brought due to the fact that investigators believe Gille intended to ‘affect the entire community, to put fear in the entire community, and to change how maybe we operate on a daily basis.’
He looked stunned as the tables turned on him. Another man was armed with a shopping cart as he helped to corner Gille
Law enforcement officers are seen stationed outside a Walmart where several people were stabbed in a violent attack Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Traverse City
Grand Traverse Sheriff’s deputies tape off the parking lot of a Walmart after a stabbing incident
The horrific attack unfolded at the Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday afternoon. Gille allegedly entered the store during a calm shopping afternoon and randomly stabbed the victims with a folding pocket knife, authorities say.
Moeggenberg called the attack ‘a very random act of violence.’
Gille, who police said is a Michigan resident, remains in custody at the Grand Traverse County Jail and is expected to be arraigned Monday or Tuesday.
Shea praised the quick response from law enforcement officers who arrived within three minutes after receiving the call about the stabbing but also a group of bystanders who intervened and detained Gille in the parking lot.
Calls began coming in to authorities at 4:43pm on Saturday and a sheriff’s deputy arrived at 4:46pm.
‘I cannot commend everyone that was involved enough. When you stop and look from the time of call to the time of actual custody, the individual was detained within one minute,’ Shea said at Sunday’s press conference.
‘That is remarkable. When you look at it in that mitigated Lord knows how many additional victims.’
Shea said the 11 victims were both men and women and they ranged in age from 21 to 84. One victim was a Walmart employee.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg (pictured Sunday) said her office is seeking charges of terrorism against Gille, as well as 11 counts of assault with intent to murder
Munson Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom Schermerhorn said at a press conference Sunday that one patient was treated and released; two were in serious condition; and the rest are in fair condition.
Walmart said in a statement Saturday that it would continue to work closely with law enforcement in the investigation.
On Sunday, a spokesman said he didn’t have any details about the store reopening and had no updates beyond the statement released late Saturday.
‘Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,’ the statement read.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to ‘provide any necessary support’.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said: ‘Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.’
Traverse City is a popular vacation spot on the coast of Lake Michigan. It is known for its cherry festival, wineries and lighthouses and is about 25 miles east of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
