Walmart hero reveals how he detained 'wild-eyed' knifeman after stabbing spree

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

The hero Marine who risked his life to save Walmart shoppers from a deranged knifeman has shared harrowing new details about the 'terror' rampage.
Derrick Perry pulled out a concealed firearm and held knifeman Bradford James Gille at gunpoint u ntil officers arrived at the scene.
The 42-year-old Gille had already stabbed 11 people inside the Michigan Walmart and has now been charged with terrorism and assault with intent to murder.
Perry told ABC's Good Morning America he dropped his groceries and chased Gille out of the Walmart and into the parking lot along with a group of other men.
The hospital worker said he pulled his gun on Gille in an effort to get him to drop his weapon and stop moving, but he never intended to pull the trigger.
'There was kind of a mob mentality and some very disturbing things were being said on how to deal with the situation,' Perry said, revealing there were people in the crowd who had gathered around him urging him to pull the trigger.
'I had to block all of that out and focus on him [Gille] because … I ultimately just wanted him to put the knife down and back away until law enforcement got there.'
'I did not see myself as any type of judge, jury or executioner. I just wanted everyone to be safe.'
Perry said Gille had a 'wild-eyed' glare and 'did not look like he was in his right mind.'
'He was saying ''they told me to do it, they told me to do it. Call 911'',' Perry recalled.
Perry said even as his weapon was drawn, he was trying to de-escalate the situation and understand Gille.
He acknowledged that he was in a position to 'do something very rash' but instead chose to focus on de-escalating and encouraging Gille to 'surrender on his own accord.'
The Michigan father has been widely praised as a hero, with calls for him to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In spite of the recognition he has received, Perry insists he is no hero and noted that there were a handful of men who tried to intervene.
'The only thing that separated me from the other gentlemen that had stepped in as well was what I was carrying in my hands,' he said.
'I think I would have ran out there or walked out there and helped either way. It was just a moment of, ''I got a duty to protect.''
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.'
'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.
Gille allegedly entered the store during a calm shopping afternoon and randomly stabbed the victims with a folding pocket knife, authorities say
'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.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle 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.'
Shea praised the quick response from law enforcement officers who arrived within three minutes after receiving the call about the stabbing.
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.