An incredible act of courage and heroism recently occurred at a Walmart in Columbia, South Carolina. On Wednesday, a veteran was shopping with his son when they noticed a man walking into the store brandishing a knife and shouting threats to those inside. The man proceeded to the service desk where he threatened female employees, yelling that when the police arrived, he would start cutting them up.

Another customer attempted to intervene, but the man tried to cut him in the face. That’s when Demario Davis, the veteran shopping with his son, sprang into action. Drawing on his military training and expertise dealing with dangerous situations, Davis waited for an opportunity to strike.

Casually walking up behind the knife-wielding man, he grabbed a stanchion pole and whacked him over the head with it. The man instantly fell to the ground dropping the knife and another customer quickly scooped it up as other customers held him down until officers arrived on scene.

“My first instinct was to neutralize the situation so I just casually walked over and waited until I had an opportunity to get him and I got em I guess. I’m a community person, so if I see something in the community that’s not right, with all the violence and things and attacks going on, gun violence you know, you want your people in the community to step up as well. The cops can’t do it all by themselves,” Davis said.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reported that after being dispatched about the incident they took the man into custody and transported him to a hospital for evaluation. It is incredible that due to Davis’ bravery and quick thinking no one was hurt during this frightening situation. His heroic actions demonstrate just how powerful our military training can be in ensuring we protect ourselves and those around us in times of danger.