A stabbing attack at a Walmart store in Traverse City, Michigan, left 11 people injured on Sunday. But what could have been far worse was stopped by a two bystanders, and one man in particular is being praised across social media, Derrick Perry.
Video from the scene, later verified by CNN, shows the suspect being cornered in the parking lot by a group of civilians. One man stands out, pointing a gun directly at the suspect, keeping him frozen in place until police arrived. That man is Perry.
While authorities haven’t officially named him, Perry’s family and locals have identified him in Facebook posts, calling him a true hero. One post read, “This is Derrick Perry! He is the man who took his gun out and risked his life to save many lives.” A woman added in the comments, “So proud to be his daughter-in-law. He protected so many.”
The attacker, identified by police as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille , allegedly began stabbing people near the checkout area. He was reportedly trying to flee when two former Marines, Matt Kolakowski and Perry — intervened.
Kolakowski told CNN that he had no weapon but charged at the attacker with a shopping cart, hitting him hard enough to knock him down. Perry, a veteran himself, then drew his licensed weapon and held the man at gunpoint until others tackled him and officers arrived.
Eleven victims were taken to Munson Medical Center. Three underwent surgery.
Video from the scene, later verified by CNN, shows the suspect being cornered in the parking lot by a group of civilians. One man stands out, pointing a gun directly at the suspect, keeping him frozen in place until police arrived. That man is Perry.
While authorities haven’t officially named him, Perry’s family and locals have identified him in Facebook posts, calling him a true hero. One post read, “This is Derrick Perry! He is the man who took his gun out and risked his life to save many lives.” A woman added in the comments, “So proud to be his daughter-in-law. He protected so many.”
THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE👏👏👏
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) July 27, 2025
Yesterday, a LOWLIFE decided to go on a STABBING SPREE at a Walmart in Michigan!
Derrick Perry was an innocent bystander WHO HELD THE SUSPECT AT GUNPOINT till police arrived.
Derrick is a hero. pic.twitter.com/vthl3viMSN
The attacker, identified by police as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille , allegedly began stabbing people near the checkout area. He was reportedly trying to flee when two former Marines, Matt Kolakowski and Perry — intervened.
Kolakowski told CNN that he had no weapon but charged at the attacker with a shopping cart, hitting him hard enough to knock him down. Perry, a veteran himself, then drew his licensed weapon and held the man at gunpoint until others tackled him and officers arrived.
Eleven victims were taken to Munson Medical Center. Three underwent surgery.
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