Eleven stabbed at Michigan Walmart before two Marine veterans end the violence

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice

What started as a typical Saturday, July 26, at a northern Michigan Walmart in Traverse City ended in chaos, bloodshed, and unexpected heroism.

Eleven shoppers were stabbed — several critically — before police could arrive. Deputies say two former Marines stepped in just in time, stopping the chaos before it turned deadly.

The suspect—42-year-old Bradford Gille from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin—is behind bars. Formal charges are expected soon, including one that may fall under the state’s terrorism statute.

What witnesses say happened during the stabbing

It was just before 4:45 p.m. when Gille began attacking customers near the checkout lanes inside the Walmart off US-31. Witnesses say he moved fast and struck randomly.

One of those witnesses, Matt Kolakowski, a Marine veteran visiting Traverse City with his family, saw the suspect stab a man in the shoulder and then an elderly woman in the back.

That’s when instinct kicked in.

Kolakowski grabbed a shopping cart and gave chase. Outside, he managed to strike the attacker in the ankle.

“He was screaming something about being a soldier and saying everyone in Walmart were bad people,” Kolakowski recalled. “His eyes were just bulging out of his head.”

As Gille weaved through cars in the parking lot, another Marine veteran, Derrick Perry, stepped in. Perry had just returned from the shooting range and still had his sidearm holstered at his hip.

Perry drew his pistol and confronted the suspect. Gille dropped the knife.

Kolakowski tackled him moments later. The two men restrained him until deputies arrived.

Law enforcement highlights civilian courage

At a press conference Sunday, Undersheriff Mike Shea praised both veterans for what he called life-saving action.

“I cannot commend those involved enough,” Shea said. “It’s not very often we see citizens who are willing to take action.”

Once deputies secured the scene, Kolakowski stayed to help treat the injured. Drawing on his military training, he applied tourniquets and helped stabilize victims until medical crews arrived.

“It was just mass panic,” he said. “Ambulances, lights everywhere, sirens, blood, people getting loaded into carts and ambulances. It was quite the rush.”

All 11 victims were transported to Munson Medical Center. As of Sunday, one had been released, while two remained in serious condition. The rest are recovering. The sheriff’s office said free counseling is available for anyone affected.

In the hours after the attack, one of the responding veterans, Perry, was publicly identified on social media—and praised for his courage.

Meet Derrick Perry, the good guy with a gun who stepped in to stop the Walmart stabbing suspect in Traverse City, Michigan, and held him until police arrived.

This is the kind of courage that deserves recognition.

Armed and prepared citizens save lives. pic.twitter.com/GwNKGhF2nX

— National Association for Gun Rights (@NatlGunRights) July 27, 2025

Civilian courage and concealed carry in focus

The weapon may have been a folding knife, but the suddenness and chaos felt no different than a mass shooting. Eleven people were wounded in minutes — all before police had time to react.

Perry’s sidearm was never fired, but his presence made the difference. It brought the assault to a stop. In states where concealed carry is more restricted, that kind of legal, armed intervention might not have been an option.

Kolakowski’s courage was no less critical. Even unarmed, he pursued and physically stopped a violent suspect — then helped treat the wounded.

Officials still don’t know why Gille carried out the attack. But in its aftermath, the story isn’t just about the violence. It’s also about the people who refused to freeze, ran toward the danger, and likely saved lives in the process.