A civilian responsible for detaining a stabbing suspect at a Michigan Walmart on Saturday was identified and hailed a “hero” on social media.
Derrick Perry, a Marine veteran who was captured in various videos holding Bradford James Gille at gunpoint after Gille allegedly stabbed 11 people in a grocery store in Traverse City, was identified by a local Facebook page, which shared his photo.
“This is Derrick Perry,” the post says. “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.”
Lawmakers joined the online praise for Perry.
“God bless this good guy with a gun, Derrick Perry!!” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said Monday on X. “Praying for the victims who were stabbed by the knife wielding maniac!”
“Derrick Perry is a hero!” Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) said.
God bless this good guy with a gun, Derrick Perry!!
Praying for the victims who were stabbed by the knife wielding maniac!
— Marjorie Taylor Greene
(@mtgreenee) July 27, 2025
Gun rights advocacy groups also piped in to congratulate Perry.
“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,” the National Association for Gun Rights said. “This is the kind of courage that deserves recognition. Armed and prepared citizens save lives.”
“Kudos to Derrick Perry for stepping in, holding the perp at gunpoint, and saving lives,” activist Dana Loesch said. “Another instance of defensive firearm usage that astroturf groups like ‘Moms Demand’ pretend don’t exist. The algorithm can hide it all it wants but GUNS SAVE LIVES.”
The Iron Pig Smokehouse restaurant offered Perry and other civilians who intervened free food for life for their “amazing courage and outstanding restraint.”
SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN WALMART STABBING THAT INJURED 11 PEOPLE
“The best of our communities come out during these times. Thank god for people like this in every community,” the restaurant said on X. “Good guy with a gun, saves the day in Michigan once again. Prayers up for all those recovering and for the outstanding work of police, EMS, and the hospital staff.”
All of the stabbing victims, who are male and female, aged 21 to 84, are expected to survive.