Crime
Derrick Perry Drew His Firearm and Risked His Life to Help Subdue Suspect in Traverse City Walmart Mass Stabbing
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — As the community of Traverse City reels from Saturday’s horrifying mass stabbing at the Walmart Supercenter, the stories of courage and selflessness shown by everyday citizens are emerging—shedding light on the heroic actions that may have saved countless lives.
Among those recognized are Derrick Perry and Matthew K., two men now credited with confronting and helping to apprehend the 42-year-old suspect after he attacked 11 people inside the store.
According to officials and eyewitnesses, the stabbing spree unfolded just before 5:00 p.m. and left six victims in critical condition and five others in serious condition, as confirmed by Munson Healthcare.
In a Facebook post, one local resident expressed gratitude to the brave individuals involved in stopping the attacker, revealing that a close family friend was slashed in the throat during the rampage. “She’s one of the lucky ones and will be okay,” the post reads. “Please continue to pray for her and the other 10 victims.”
Matthew K., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Kent City, Michigan, was visiting Traverse City with his family on vacation.
According to witnesses, the family had just finished checking out at the store when an emergency announcement was broadcast over the intercom: “There’s a man with a knife!”
While exiting the store, Matthew saw two people injured, including an elderly woman.
Acting on instinct and military training, he instructed his daughter to stay back, then used a nearby shopping cart to strike the attacker in the Achilles tendon, causing the suspect to fall forward.
“Matthew didn’t hesitate,” a witness said. “He went into ‘Marine mode’ and neutralized the threat.”
At that same moment, Derrick Perry, another shopper, reportedly drew his legally-owned firearm and ordered the suspect to drop the knife.
The suspect complied after realizing he was surrounded, and several other shoppers joined in, tackling and restraining him until police arrived moments later.
“He [Derrick] risked his life to save many others,” one post stated. “He is truly a hero.”
The assault appeared random and indiscriminate, with victims found across various departments.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as customers ran in every direction.
“I work there,” said Walmart employee Tasha Nash. “People were screaming. I saw a man stabbed in the eye.”
Another witness, Amber Paull, said, “A foreign guy just lost it on random people in the produce and grocery area… there were victims everywhere, including a child and an elderly woman.”
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities have ruled out any additional threat to the public.
The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Law enforcement agencies including local police, EMS, and state officials continue to investigate the stabbing.
The Grand Traverse 911 center issued a public advisory asking residents to avoid the area, stating, “There is no danger to the public at this time.”
This tragic event has forever altered the lives of many families in Traverse City, but thanks to the decisive actions of ordinary citizens—veterans and bystanders alike—a far greater loss of life was likely prevented.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional video footage or information to contact local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers as the investigation proceeds.
Crime
ICE Tear Gas Canister Strikes Family Vehicle in Minneapolis, Six Children Hurt, Including Infant, Taken to Hospital
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Emergency responders and community members reported a distressing incident during ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity in south Minneapolis, involving the use of tear gas and other crowd-control tactics by federal agents and resulting in injuries to several civilians, including children.
According to local witnesses and media reports, after a federal law enforcement operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier in the week, tensions remained high in the surrounding neighborhood.
In one reported episode, residents attempting to leave an area where tear gas was being deployed sought to escape the effects of the chemical agents by entering a vehicle.
As tear gas canisters spread through nearby streets, a family with multiple children, including infants and young minors, was forced to shelter inside their car.
A tear gas canister reportedly landed under or near the vehicle, causing widespread irritation and breathing difficulties for those inside.
Emergency services were called, and some family members — including the children — were taken by ambulance for medical evaluation after experiencing breathing issues.
One infant was reported to have experienced breathing distress and received emergency medical attention.
Reports from bystanders indicated that parents administered first aid at the scene, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for a young child, before paramedics arrived.
Witness accounts describe the situation as chaotic but nonviolent on the part of the civilians, with several families attempting simply to leave the area as federal agents used tear gas and less-lethal munitions.
Those accounts state that no active threat to officers was present at the time the gas was deployed near the family vehicle.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement confirming the specific details of this encounter or whether federal agents intended to target the vehicle.
The Minneapolis Police Department and federal agencies involved in the operation have not publicly corroborated all aspects of the civil accounts, and the situation remains under review by local law enforcement.
Officials continue to investigate multiple related events unfolding in Minneapolis, including other recent uses of force by federal agents.
Local health officials and emergency responders are urging anyone affected by tear gas exposure to seek medical attention.
Community leaders have called for a thorough and transparent review of federal crowd-control tactics and their impact on bystanders, particularly children and other vulnerable individuals.