Citizens—Armed and Unarmed—Stop Mass Stabbing at Michigan Walmart
A terrifying stabbing spree at a Walmart in northern Michigan was brought to a quick end on Saturday thanks to the decisive and courageous actions of ordinary citizens—both unarmed and armed—who stepped in before law enforcement arrived.
Around 4:40 p.m., a man inside the busy Traverse City Walmart suddenly pulled a knife and began attacking shoppers near the front of the store. In the space of just a few moments, eleven people—five men and six women, ages 29 to 84—were stabbed. Some were critically wounded, but all are expected to survive.
Unarmed Citizens Were First to Act
The violence might have gone much further if not for two quick-thinking customers who jumped into action. One was a disabled U.S. Army veteran shopping with his daughter. Hearing someone yell “he’s got a knife!”, he immediately pursued the attacker, using a shopping cart to ram and corner him.
Another unarmed man joined in with his own cart. Together, they physically engaged the attacker near the store’s exit and in the parking lot preventing him from reaching more victims or fleeing the scene.
Armed Citizen Brings Final Compliance
As the attacker struggled against the unarmed citizens, a third customer—legally armed—intervened. He drew his concealed handgun and issued firm commands for the suspect to drop the knife. Eventually the attacker complied, surrendering the weapon as the armed citizen held him at gunpoint.
The armed citizen intervenes and commands the attacker to “throw away” his knife.
By the time the first sheriff’s deputy arrived on scene—just two to three minutes after the attack began—the threat had already been contained. The suspect was held until law enforcement took him into custody.
11 Wounded, All Expected to Recover
All eleven victims were transported to Munson Medical Center, with six initially in critical condition and five in serious condition. Hospital officials later confirmed that all are expected to recover. No children were among the victims.
Authorities have confirmed that the attacker acted alone and had no known connection to the victims. He now faces 11 counts of assault with intent to murder and one count of terrorism, a rare charge in Michigan that reflects the broader fear his actions were intended to cause.
The Power of Citizen Action
While tragedies like this often end in greater bloodshed, the outcome in Traverse City shows what can happen when everyday Americans refuse to be helpless. The first line of defense wasn't a badge or a siren—it was shoppers armed with grocery carts and the will to act.
And while the presence of an armed citizen was essential in bringing the suspect fully into compliance, it was the unarmed citizens who first made contact and physically stopped the attack. Without them, the body count could have been much higher.
Local law enforcement praised their bravery, noting that their immediate action likely prevented a far worse outcome.
“What they did was amazing.” — Local Sheriff
A Reminder of Why Readiness Matters
This incident underscores a fundamental truth: being prepared—whether that means carrying legally, having the mindset to act, or simply refusing to stand by when others are in danger—can save lives.
In Traverse City, it wasn’t one hero. It was a team of citizens who stood up when it mattered.
And the rest of the country should take note.
I think we all know why they aren’t telling us the identity of the attacker.
And to slightly shift the topic: .. In the Manhattan shooting, if it had been a “gun FRIENDLY zone” the woman coming out of the elevator might very well have ended this very quickly as well.
I can hear the “unprepared victims” (general populace) say that the cop and guard *with guns* couldn’t stop him, so what would an armed citizen do … and if so, why didn’t they?
Well, first the cop and the guard were OBVIOUS targets to be taken out first; the armed concealed carrier is NOT conspicuous.
Secondly, even if the building wasn’t a “gun free zone”, the travel to get there (for Honest Citizens; not the crazed murder-intent shooter) had so many “sensitive places” to traverse, that most concealed carriers won’t take the risk of crossing the law … NOT so the shooter! Anti-Gun-Defense folks will point out that “no good guy with a gun” came to the rescue, but that’s because NYC has created so many “No-Go-Zones” that it is impossible to carry a weapon in a normal day of activity without violating serious laws ~ a law-abiding gun carriers won’t risk that. Additionally, NYC has made it obvious (Penny, Goetz, et al) that self defense or even defense of others will put you in legal jeopardy, regardless of the justification.
Also note that the building was “secure” ~ id access, police presence, armed guard, controlled access to elevators, etc ~ and probably even had a “No Guns Allowed” sign, but obviously none of that Stopped someone bent on murder (surprised?).
Concealed Carriers (permitees) represent about 10 percent of the population in most states (some more, some less). Let’s say only HALF carry on a regular basis. That would mean a shooter *in a gun-friendly environment* would likely encounter a gun firing back at him by the time he MET the 20th person … likely happening before he has even shot (or stabbed, or clubbed … whatever) that many people.
There are people out there willing to step up to help and defend their fellow citizens; but they must be trusted and respected to do so … and to do so armed!
It never ceases to amaze me that business owners (and like thinking of many of our politicians) think that declaring “gun free zones” they are making an area safer. Those that wish to harm others know that these zones provide areas where they can carry out their nefarious acts with greater assurance of success. Law abiding concealed carriers are just that, and respect the laws and wishes of the business owners and will not be in a position to stop the threat.
Let me guess: the cops confiscated the armed citizen’s weapon, and arrested him also. Then he had to pay THOUSANDS of dollars for a lawyer to represent him in court. “I don’t know” what has to happen in order for people to FULLY enjoy their constitutional rights, which are SHITTED on even now as we speak 😡