Moment hero Marine subdues knifeman after 11 shoppers stabbed in 'terror' rampage at Walmart
The man, identified as ex-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.
It is understood he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
'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.
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.'
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.
Sheriff Mike 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.
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.
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