TRAVERSE CITY, MI — The community of Traverse City remains shaken after a harrowing and horrifying mass stabbing that occurred at the Walmart Supercenter on Saturday evening, an event that left a trail of chaos, panic, and multiple victims. As the dust settles on what could have been an even more tragic incident, the acts of courage and selflessness displayed by two local heroes, Derrick Perry and Matthew K., are now coming to light. Their actions, which included confronting the suspect head-on, are being hailed as nothing short of heroic.

The stabbing incident, which occurred just before 5:00 p.m. on July 22, 2025, rapidly escalated into a terrifying situation as the suspect, armed with a knife, went on a violent spree inside the busy Walmart, targeting shoppers at random. Witnesses described a scene of pure terror, with customers fleeing the store in all directions and screams of panic filling the air. Police later confirmed that 11 people were attacked, with six victims sustaining critical injuries and five others being seriously wounded.

Amidst the chaos, two individuals, Derrick Perry and Matthew K., took it upon themselves to stop the violence. Both men, with no hesitation, confronted the 42-year-old assailant, risking their own safety to protect others. Through their bravery, they prevented the attack from continuing and potentially saving countless lives.

The Events Leading Up to the Attack

The afternoon of the stabbing seemed to begin like any other at the Walmart Supercenter in Traverse City, located in Michigan’s picturesque Grand Traverse County. However, what was to unfold would soon change the lives of many, including those in the store at the time.

Around 4:50 p.m., a store employee working in the produce section overheard a loud commotion coming from an adjacent aisle. The employee immediately alerted security and attempted to call for help, but the chaos had already begun. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been officially released, began attacking people at random as he moved through the store. Eyewitnesses described scenes of utter panic, with shoppers scrambling to flee while others tried to help the injured.

It is still unclear why the suspect, a 42-year-old man, started the attack. Some witnesses believe the incident appeared to be entirely random, with no specific target other than unsuspecting shoppers. Those who were close to the assailant at the time described him as erratic and unpredictable, moving from aisle to aisle, slashing at anyone within his reach.

In the produce section, a mother with her young child witnessed the first attacks. “It was chaos. We were just trying to grab a few things when we saw a man charge at another shopper with a knife,” said Amber Paull, one of the witnesses. “He just lost it and started attacking random people. There were victims everywhere.”

Derrick Perry: The Man Who Drew His Weapon to Stop the Attack

Among those who risked their lives to intervene was Derrick Perry, a customer at the store who, by his own admission, never imagined he’d find himself in such a terrifying situation. A longtime resident of Traverse City, Perry was shopping with his family when the stabbing began.

“I was just in the electronics section when I heard screaming, and people started running in every direction,” Perry said. “It took me a moment to process what was happening. Then I saw the guy with the knife.”

Perry, who had a concealed carry permit, immediately drew his legally-owned firearm. “I knew I had to act fast. People were being attacked right in front of me,” he recalled. “I saw him charging at a woman and her kids, and I knew I couldn’t wait for the police to get here. I had to do something.”

With the suspect’s attention diverted elsewhere, Perry approached him from behind. “I yelled at him to drop the knife, but he turned around and lunged toward me,” Perry said. “I had no choice but to point my gun at him and tell him again to drop it. I think he finally realized he was surrounded.”

At that moment, several other customers, including Matthew K., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, rushed to Perry’s aid. The suspect, realizing that he was outnumbered, eventually dropped the knife.

Matthew K. and His Heroic Military Response

Matthew K., a 33-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Kent City, Michigan, was visiting Traverse City with his family on vacation when the stabbing broke out. Like Perry, K. had no idea that his trip would take such a harrowing turn.

“I heard the screams, and when I saw the panic, I knew something was wrong,” K. said. “I’m a veteran, so I immediately went into ‘Marine mode,’ which means acting fast and neutralizing the threat.”

K. was in the store with his family when he first saw the injured victims. A quick-thinking individual, K. knew he had to act, and without hesitation, he drew upon his military training. “I could hear people screaming. That’s when I knew we had to get him,” K. recalled. “I don’t remember exactly what happened, but I saw an opportunity. I grabbed a shopping cart and used it to get the guy off balance.”

Using the shopping cart, K. struck the suspect in the Achilles tendon, causing the attacker to stumble and fall forward. In that split second, K. was able to subdue the suspect further, helping Perry keep the knife-wielding assailant at bay.

The Community’s Response and the Aftermath

Witnesses on the scene described the actions of Perry and K. as incredibly heroic. “Those guys saved lives,” said one employee who wished to remain anonymous. “If they hadn’t done what they did, it could have been much worse.”

Although no shots were fired during the confrontation, both men’s actions undoubtedly prevented further violence. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene minutes later, arresting the suspect and ensuring that the store was cleared of any additional threats. The suspect was taken into custody without further resistance.

In total, 11 victims were injured in the attack, with six in critical condition and five others in serious condition. While the nature of the injuries ranged from stab wounds to superficial cuts, none of the injuries were reported as life-threatening.

The victims, who ranged in age from children to adults, were rushed to Munson Healthcare, where they were treated for their wounds. Fortunately, thanks to the quick actions of Perry, K., and other bystanders, no lives were lost.

The Suspect’s Identity and Motive

While authorities have yet to release the identity of the suspect, they have confirmed that he is a 42-year-old male with no known connection to any of the victims. Law enforcement agencies are working to determine the motive behind the attack, but at this time, it appears to have been a random act of violence.

“Right now, we don’t have any information to suggest that there was a targeted attack,” said Traverse City Police Chief Brian Hilliard. “It’s still very early in the investigation, but we are confident that the situation has been contained.”

Witnesses have described the suspect as agitated and unpredictable, with some saying he seemed to act on impulse rather than having a clear target. Further investigation will be conducted to determine any potential links to other incidents or background details regarding the suspect’s history.

The Community’s Outpouring of Support

As the community begins to recover from this terrifying event, many are expressing their gratitude to the two men who stepped up and risked their lives. “Derrick Perry and Matthew K. are true heroes,” said Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers. “Their bravery in the face of danger is a reminder of how ordinary people can become heroes when the situation calls for it.”

Local businesses have also shown their support, with several organizing fundraisers and community events to help the victims of the stabbing. One local restaurant even pledged to donate a portion of its proceeds to the victims’ medical expenses.

“We all have a role to play in keeping our community safe,” said local business owner Linda Thomas. “What happened here was tragic, but the way this community has come together has been nothing short of inspiring.”

Law Enforcement’s Continued Investigation

As the investigation into the suspect’s motives and background continues, law enforcement officials are asking the public to remain vigilant and report any further information. “We want to make sure we leave no stone unturned in understanding why this occurred,” said Police Chief Brian Hilliard. “We’re going to continue working with our community to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.”

The Traverse City Police Department, along with the FBI, are collaborating on the investigation to determine the full scope of the incident. As new information becomes available, officials promise to keep the public updated.

Conclusion

The mass stabbing at the Traverse City Walmart on July 22, 2025, is a stark reminder of how quickly violence can erupt in otherwise ordinary places. However, thanks to the bravery of Derrick Perry, Matthew K., and other citizens, the situation did not escalate any further, and many lives were spared. Their courageous actions highlight the importance of staying calm in the face of danger and standing up for those around you.

As the community begins to heal, it will do so with the knowledge that ordinary citizens, in this case, two brave men, made a heroic difference in what could have been a much worse tragedy.