A heroic military veteran jumped into action to take down a knife-wielding man who threatened to stab shoppers at a South Carolina Walmart — by hitting him over the head with a metal bar.
Video shows the unidentified man in a red hoodie cursing and yelling on the floor of the Walmart in Columbia, SC, demanding $20.
The man waves his knife and yells, “I’ll start cutting you all open” as horrified onlookers stand by during the January 4 incident at around 2 p.m.
One of the store managers tried to confront the suspect, but the man grew increasingly angry – and in a fit of rage – tried to slash him open.
Moments later, a man identified as Demario Davis attacked the suspect from behind and hit the suspect in the head with a metal bar.
BAMM! Dramatic footage shows the moment a man, identified as military veteran Demario Davis, ambushes the suspect from behind and hits the suspect over the head with a metal bar
As the suspect falls to the ground, two sheriff’s deputies rush in and handcuff the attacker as the man yells, “I didn’t do anything.”
As the suspect falls to the ground, he drops the knife and another bystander rushes over to grab it before two sheriff’s deputies appear and handcuff the attacker.
The man tries to fight back before screaming, “No, no, no. I did not do it. I haven’t done anything.’
Davis was shopping at Walmart with his son when he saw the frenzied man and decided to intervene. He said he relied on his military training to take down the suspect.
“I was at the register when my son noticed the guy walking in with an open knife,” he told Fox News. “Then he went to the service counter and waved the knife at some female employees.”
He said the man shouted, “When the cops get here, I’m going to start cutting all of you up.”
Narrating the scene, he added: “I casually walked up to the object not only to trip him up but also to protect myself should I fail, but with my great military training I was able to neutralize the threat until the police arrived.” he said.
The harrowing footage was captured by Walmart employee and witness LaQuanda Eichelberger. “I was at the self-service checkout where I work and the customer walked in and asked for $20,” she told Storyful.
Eichelberger can be heard narrating the scene as it unfolds: “Ooh, he’s waving the knife. Oh oh,” as the man is heard saying, “kill you all.”
“Just give the man twenty dollars,” she said. “Walmart, give the man $20.”
She continued: “Someone gives to the man. Oh, that – he’s doing Dave Chappelle.’
Demario Davis was shopping at Walmart with his son when he saw the frenzied man’s behavior and decided to intervene. He said he relied on his military training to take down the suspect
Video shows the unidentified man in a red hoodie cursing and yelling on the floor of the Walmart in Columbia, SC, demanding $20. The man waves his knife and yells, “I’ll start cutting you all up,” as horrified onlookers stand by
One of the store managers tried to confront the suspect, but the man grew increasingly angry – and in a fit of rage – tried to slash him open
Many people reacted to Demario’s courage and quick action.
“We can always count on a veteran. Thanks Demario!” wrote one person, Yahoo Life reported.
Another person said: “Mental health problems are huge now. It is also very dangerous for the public.’
The suspect was taken to a local hospital and evaluated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Crisis Intervention Team. Charges have not yet been filed.
has reached out to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, but they were unavailable for comment.