An armed citizen who the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office says "heroically" intervened in the Walmart stabbing attack and assisted in the apprehension of suspect Bradford Gille issued a public statement Tuesday addressing his role in the incident and asking for privacy.

Derrick Perry was one of several bystanders who confronted Gille in the Walmart parking lot, preventing him from attacking anyone else and detaining him until a Sheriff's Office deputy arrived and took Gille into custody. Though videos of the bystanders intervening have appeared widely on social media, The Ticker has previously not identified them by name at the request of law enforcement to protect their privacy.

However, both the Sheriff's Office and Munson Healthcare - where Perry is employed - publicly acknowledged his role in assisting in Gille's apprehension Tuesday. The Sheriff's Office shared the following public statement provided by Perry: 

"I am a proud citizen of Traverse City. I just wanted to do right by my community and help where there was a problem. I am just like any other member of the community. I wasn't looking to be heroic; I just wanted to help my neighbors. I can't take all the credit as there were other courageous individuals who were also standing up to the attacker, too. I appreciate the outpouring of of thanks and love from the public. As this time, I'd like to ask that everyone, including the media, respect my privacy as well as my family's privacy. Thank you for your support and understanding."

Sheriff Mike Shea said that "on behalf of Mr. Perry, I would ask that everyone respect his wishes and request for privacy. I think he earned it!" 

Munson Healthcare released a similar statement about Perry Tuesday. "We want to confirm that Derrick Perry, an off-duty Munson Healthcare employee, was part of the citizen apprehension of the suspect in the Walmart incident last Saturday," the statement reads. "We recognize his courage, yet we want to honor him and his family's request for privacy during this difficult time as they process these events. Thank you for respecting their privacy."

Gille was arraigned in 86th District Court Monday on eleven counts of assault with intent to murder and one count of terrorism. He pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $100,000 bond. He has a probable cause conference scheduled for August 6 and a preliminary examination scheduled for August 12 at 11am with Judge Michael Stepka. Meanwhile, the Traverse City Walmart posted Tuesday that the store will reopen for business Wednesday. "We are truly excited to see our customers back in the store tomorrow morning," the post states, thanking employees from other stores for "their help in putting the pieces back together."