In a dramatic scene outside a Michigan Walmart, a concealed carrier stopped a mass stabbing in progress – without even firing a shot. The footage quickly made the rounds online. According to USCCA’s Kevin Michalowski and Ed Combs, who broke the incident down in detail, the event was a success. But it also raised serious questions about what armed citizens should actually do in these kinds of emergencies. It wasn’t just about stopping a threat. It was about how close people got, who gave commands, and what could’ve gone wrong in just a few seconds.
The Danger of Rushing In Without a Plan
As Ed Combs pointed out, a lot of the bystanders seemed to jump into action based on one thought: “I’ve got to do something.” That impulse is understandable – but potentially deadly. Combs explained how people without any real plan rushed toward the attacker, a man with a knife, getting dangerously close. In doing so, they not only put themselves at risk, but they also interfered with the armed citizen who was trying to control the situation.
Too Close for Comfort
Kevin Michalowski made it clear: distance equals safety. In the video, both armed and unarmed citizens got within a few feet of the attacker. “The guy with the gun was too close,” he said, “and the unarmed folks were way too close.” They were well within slashing range if the suspect had decided to attack again. Michalowski reminded viewers that the so-called “Tuller Drill” showed how fast someone with a knife can close the gap – even faster than you can draw and fire from a duty holster.
One Voice, Not a Crowd
Another big issue? Everyone yelling at once. Ed Combs stressed how dangerous it is when five different people are giving five different commands. In high-stress moments, that kind of chaos can confuse the attacker – or the armed defender – and lead to tragic outcomes. Combs said the best approach is the law enforcement model: one “contact” person gives commands, while others back them up silently.
Using the Tools Around You
Not everyone needs a gun to help. Michalowski highlighted one smart move made by a bystander – grabbing a shopping cart and putting it between themselves and the attacker. “That’s the kind of thinking we need to encourage,” he said. Something as simple as a cart, a fire extinguisher, or even a stapler can become a barrier. It might buy you the seconds you need to escape – or survive.
Why We Don’t Chase
One point both men drove home hard: don’t pursue the attacker. Once he’s backed off and stopped hurting people, your job is mostly done. “You’re not a cop,” said Combs. Following a suspect with your gun drawn can open up a whole new legal mess. If the police arrive and see you with a weapon, they might not know you’re the good guy.
The Marine Debate Misses the Point
After the video went viral, critics online zeroed in on the concealed carrier’s grip and stance. Some said no Marine would ever hold a gun that way. But as Michalowski noted, not all Marines are combat-trained, and many never train extensively with handguns. The real takeaway isn’t how he held the pistol. It’s that he stopped a deadly attack without pulling the trigger. That’s the goal.
Every Situation Is Fluid
This wasn’t a perfect intervention, but it was a brave and effective one. “These were private citizens pulled from their normal lives,” Combs said. “They stepped up.” The man with the gun had no backup, no team, and no training to deal with a mass stabbing. Yet he managed to deescalate the situation until law enforcement arrived. It worked, but it could have gone very wrong.
A Word About Media Coverage
One of the most frustrating parts for both Michalowski and Combs was how the story was covered. Mainstream outlets rarely mentioned that it was a private citizen with a privately owned firearm who stopped the attack. Instead, they focused on police response time or ignored the armed citizen altogether. “We need to stress,” Michalowski said, “good people with guns stop bad things from happening.”
Plan Ahead or Freeze Later
Ed Combs offered a blunt warning: if you haven’t thought through scenarios like this ahead of time, you’re not likely to make good decisions in the moment. Knowing where exits are, identifying objects you can use as cover or barriers, and having a mental flowchart of “what if” responses could be the difference between chaos and survival.
The Chaos of Doing “Something”
This video was hard to watch – not because it was violent, but because it showed how quickly people can make things worse when trying to help. The man in the purple shirt, for example, kept getting in front of the armed citizen. That’s not courage. That’s recklessness. It’s natural to want to help – but without training, you might only be adding confusion and danger to an already terrible situation.
Doing the Right Thing Doesn’t Mean Doing Everything
What stood out most was how people forgot one crucial fact: you don’t have to solve everything. The man with the gun did his job just by stopping the attacker’s momentum. He didn’t shoot. He didn’t tackle. He just made the threat freeze. That alone saved lives. The rest – arrest, prosecution, recovery – is up to professionals. Knowing where your responsibility ends is just as important as knowing where it begins.
The Bigger Picture: What If This Happens to You?
The USCCA hosts used this moment as a teaching tool. Kevin Michalowski and Ed Combs want armed citizens to think past the fantasy of being a hero. It’s not about bravado. It’s about safety, legality, and outcome. When the gun comes out, your life changes. Theirs could end. And everyone around you is watching. Train hard, think clearly, and remember: distance, calm, and one voice go a long way in a crisis.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
