Latest news with #DerrickPerry
8 hours ago
Armed bystander who helped confront Walmart stabbing suspect speaks out
A former Marine who helped confront the suspect in a stabbing rampage at a Walmart in Michigan is speaking out in an exclusive broadcast interview after the terrifying incident that authorities said was an act of terrorism. Nearly a dozen people were randomly injured in the attack on Saturday before a group of citizens -- including Derrick Perry, who was armed with a gun -- helped prevent the suspect from leaving or harming others, authorities said. "I didn't think of anything other than trying to get him away from people and get him isolated and get him to put the knife down and just to kind of focus on me instead of everyone that was yelling and screaming in the background," Perry, a married father of three, told "Good Morning America" on Monday. Watch the full interview with Derrick Perry on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday. The suspect allegedly entered the Walmart store in Traverse City, about 150 miles north of Grand Rapids, Saturday afternoon and began attacking people with a folding knife, authorities said. "It appears that these were all random acts," Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon, adding that the attacks began near the checkout area. The victims range in age from 29 to 84 and include a Walmart employee, Shea said. A group of citizens, including a firearm-wielding Perry, confronted the suspect in the parking lot in a dramatic scene that was captured on video by a bystander. A deputy then took the suspect -- 42-year-old Bradford James Gille -- into custody, authorities said. "I commend them," Shea said of the citizens who helped. "It's not very often that we have citizens that are willing to step up and take action." Gille was formally charged Monday with one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. He did not enter a plea during his arraignment, and a judge overseeing the hearing said an attorney will be appointed to represent him. Magistrate Tammi Rodgers set Gille's bail at $100,000 cash and ordered him to return to court for a probable cause hearing on Aug. 6 and a preliminary hearing on Aug. 12. The magistrate granted the prosecutor's request for high bail for Gille, alleging that he had committed "one of the most serious crimes that one could commit in the state of Michigan."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Former Marine Derrick Perry hailed as hero after stopping stabbing rampage at Michigan Walmart
Viral video captures the moment Perry confronts the suspect, drawing praise from Traverse City residents and social media users alike. A local former Marine is being hailed as a hero by the community for stepping in during the horrific stabbing at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, where 11 people were injured inside the store in what is being called a 'terror rampage' by local authorities. Derrick Perry, 41, who was at the Walmart with family when the stabbing occurred, pulled out his concealed firearm and held the suspect—42-year-old Bradford James Gille—at bay outside of the store until the Grand Traverse County sheriff's deputies arrived. Perry is being credited with potentially saving the lives of additional victims with his quick and decisive actions. Viral cellphone footage of the incident outside shows Perry approaching Gille as he and others yell at him to throw down his knife. Traverse City Police Chief Lauren Gilbert said that Perry's quick and decisive actions may have saved lives. 'Had he not stepped in when he did, the situation could've turned much worse. He likely saved lives,' she said. At 4:43 p.m. on Saturday, local authorities began receiving phone calls of a stabbing at the Walmart. In total, 11 people were stabbed ranging in ages from 29 to 84. Seven people are in fair condition and four are in serious condition, according to NBC News. Local authorities intend to pursue a terrorism charge in addition to 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. Many people praised Perry's actions with many calling him a hero; some commenters on social media have even called for him to receive a Presidential Medal of Honor. Many cited his Marine Corps training as being vital to his willingness to step into the situation. On a Traverse City Facebook group, a woman claiming to be Perry's daughter-in-law posted that he was a hero: 'So happy to be this man's daughter in law! True hero! So proud of him for protecting so many today.' His daughter said, 'Proud daughter moment.' Most people were glad that he was getting the recognition for being the man who stepped into a dangerous situation. One commenter who seemed to know the Perry family summed up the vast majority of the response to Perry's heroic actions, saying on Facebook, '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!' More must-reads: UK police charge actor Micheal Ward with rape and sexual assault Malcolm-Jamal Warner's daughter was not in the water with him when he drowned, police clarify Dozens of kids and adults in Gaza have starved to death in July as hunger surges
Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
Armed Marine veteran stops Michigan Walmart stabbing suspect
An armed bystander was seen on video heroically stopping a knife-wielding man who authorities say stabbed 11 people at a Walmart in Michigan on Saturday. The man, identified by family as Derrick Perry, is seen in the video pointing a firearm at the suspect in the store's parking lot in Traverse City as he and other bystanders shout "drop the knife!" Perry is a Marine veteran, the New York Post reported, citing his family. "What they did was amazing," Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters during a media briefing on Sunday. Perry and the other bystanders ended the suspect's rampage without firing a shot and held him until authorities arrived to take the man into custody without injury. "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," the sheriff said. "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." The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille, of Afton, Mich., acted alone when he entered the store wielding a folding knife with a 3.5-inch blade, the sheriff said. He faces terrorism charges and 11 charges of assault with intent to murder. The 11 victims, ranging in age from 29 to 84-years-old, were all expected to survive, Munson Healthcare officials said. One patient has been released while five were listed in fair condition, two in good condition, one in serious condition and two others were treated and transferred as of Monday morning. The Overheard in Traverse City Facebook group wrote a post recognizing the brave actions of Perry. "This is Derrick Perry!" read the post. "He is the hero from today's stabbing at Walmart, he is the man that took his gun out and risked his own life to save many lives! Thank you so much Derrick." Perry's daughter replied to the post, describing her father's heroic life-saving actions as a "proud daughter moment." His daughter-in-law wrote in a separate post that Perry is a "true hero." The National Association for Gun Rights called Perry a "good guy with a gun" whose courage "deserves recognition" in a post on X. Meanwhile, authorities have said that the motive for the stabbing remains unknown.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Viral Walmart Video Shows Gun-Wielding Bystander Stopping Stabbing Suspect
The suspect in the mass stabbing attack at a Traverse City, MI, Walmart store is seen in a viral video that shows a bystander stopping him at gunpoint as other heroic citizens also intervened. The founder of a local scanner page wrote on Facebook that two Marine veterans were involved in stopping the suspect, who was named by the sheriff as Bradford James Gille. Matt Kolakowski, a former Marine, spoke to CNN about helping to stop Gille. 'I thought to myself, 'Well, I don't got no weapon, so what am I going to do?' So, I just grabbed an empty grocery cart and just took off after him as hard as I could,' Kolakowski said to CNN. Derrick Perry was named as the armed bystander on the Overheard in Traverse City Facebook page, information which was confirmed by two relatives online. Kolakowski confirmed to CNN that a second former Marine was involved in stopping the suspect. The sheriff was asked by a reporter about Derrick Perry at the news conference, but he declined to confirm any bystanders' names. The mass stabbing attack, which the sheriff called "random," left 11 people injured in the hospital. The motive is still not clear, the sheriff said in a news release. CNN authenticated the video, which shows the suspect being surrounded by bystanders in the parking lot. One is pointing a gun at him, and another man is pushing a shopping cart. The sheriff, Mike Shea, called what the bystanders did "amazing" and said he knows the "video is out there." Derrick Perry, Matt Kolakowski, and the other bystanders are being called heroes online The bystanders are being lauded as heroes online. "Thank you Derrick! You are a hero!" a person wrote on X. "An incredible American," wrote another person. "This is Derrick Perry ! He is the hero from today's stabbing at Walmart , he is the man that took his gun out and risked his own life to save many lives ! Thank you so much Derrick," the post on the Overheard in Traverse City page says, sharing Perry's photo. "So happy to be this man's daughter in law! True hero! So proud of him for protecting so many today," a woman wrote on the comment thread. That woman's husband wrote, alongside a photo of Perry, "Proud to have you as my step-dad." Lisa Judi Sherm, founder of the Facebook page Greater Grand Rapids Scanner Calls, wrote on Facebook that "the assailant was beginning to flee after his rampage, but was met in the parking lot by several brave citizens." "One of those individuals to take down the attacker, Matthew.K of Kent City, MI, was in town for a family vacation. His family made a stop to the store for some supplies and had just finished checking out, when a store employee shouted the dire warnings over the intercom. 'There's a man with a knife!!'' she wrote. "As they exited the store, Matthew saw the attacker had injured 2 people including an elderly woman. Matthew directed his young daughter to stay back, and went into Marine Mode." She added, "Matthew is a veteran of the Marine Corps and has extensive training and experience in high stress situations. Without much hesitation, he grabbed a nearby shopping cart and rammed it straight into the achilles tendon of the assailant, causing him to fall forward. Thankfully Matthew (in the purple shirt) didn't act alone. He had the assistance of another citizen, who just so happened to be a Marine veteran as well, and held the attacker at gunpoint, until he dropped the knife. Thats when multiple people tackled him until PD arrived moments later, taking the 42 year old attacker into custody." Officials at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City said in a Facebook statement that they are treating 11 victims. "I want to acknowledge that there was citizen involvement in taking the individual into custody," Shea said in a news conference. "We'll have more information on that later." He said the attack initially started "near the checkout area." The New York Times quoted a witness as saying people were also stabbed at the Walmart pharmacy area. According to Shea, authorities were not familiar with the suspect before. The sheriff said in the news conference that authorities were on the scene within three minutes of the first 911 call. What's known about the Walmart suspect The sheriff said the suspect is a 42-year-old Michigan resident. These are "random acts," said Shea. "We believe he acted alone at this time." The weapon appears to be a "folding knife," Shea said. There are six male victims and five female victims. Three are undergoing surgery, and their conditions were not clear, he said. The victims were not named. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families," said Shea. Shea said he could not comment on whether there were any mental health concerns. The sheriff said he did not want to provide any further details about the suspect's background. The Michigan State Police confirmed on X that the stabbing had occurred. "Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office is investigating a multiple stabbing incident at the Wal-Mart in Traverse City. The suspect is in custody, details are limited at this time," they wrote. Viral Walmart Video Shows Gun-Wielding Bystander Stopping Stabbing Suspect first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 27, 2025
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Moment hero Marine subdues knifeman after 11 shoppers stabbed in 'terror' rampage at Walmart
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 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.
