On July 26, 2025, tragedy struck our beautiful town of Traverse City, MI. A stabbing happened at a local Walmart, making national headlines. In a random attack, eleven people, aged 29 to 84, were injured. But thanks to brave bystanders, including two Marine veterans, no one died, not even the assailant, despite the traumatic injuries and suffering.
Walmart shoppers sprang into action during this unimaginable crisis, calmly assisting one another. First responders arrived quickly to find people helping people amid the frightening ordeal. The two Marine veterans, whom some now refer to as saviors, heroes, or “supermen,” used their keen wits and nimble skills to disarm the attacker and safely deliver him into the hands of the authorities.
The local hospital promptly and professionally treated each victim. What could have been? We shudder to think. We are blessed that the outcome was not more tragic.The first assumption was that the attacker must have a mental health challenge, and in this case, that proved true.
His story is a devastating one. His family had been trying to get him dependable management for his condition for twenty-eight years. He was ruled incompetent to stand trial.
It may seem incredible that twenty-eight years can go by without someone getting the consistent help they need, but it happens often. I knew I was “different” when I was just seventeen, yet I didn’t receive a diagnosis and treatment until I was thirty-four.
As a result, my young adulthood was more stressful and chaotic than it needed to be. Still, I was able to perform successfully as a musician in our local symphony orchestra and enjoy a long career as a professional educator. Thankfully, sometimes, I had the understanding and support of loving family, friends, bosses, and co-workers who made my journey easier.
But sometimes not.
The story of the Walmart tragedy is becoming all too familiar and all too common in our nation’s headlines, and the causes are many: a shortage of mental health providers in many communities; a lack of crisis stabilization beds; difficulties in obtaining appropriate treatment due to shame or stigma; sharp political divisions that can be triggering; increasing homelessness among those with mental health challenges and a shortage of services that allow them to live safely.
There are also other reasons, many of which stem from a common source: fear.
Fear silences our voices. It’s hard to find solutions to problems when we can’t even talk about them. Of course, overcoming our fears is difficult. We fear what we don’t understand, so the key question is: How can we gain understanding of mental health issues when it often seems easier—and safer—just to let someone else handle it?
But what if we did it together?
It’s easier to show courage when we stand side by side and work as one, and it shouldn’t take another mass shooting, another stabbing, another 48,000 suicides each year in the U.S. before we lock arms and unite. Christian missionary, author, and speaker Elisabeth Elliot said, “Sometimes fear does not subside and you must do it afraid.”
Scripture tells us to fear not; we are not to live in fear. That’s easy to say, but hard to do. In what ways are we showing courage in facing mental health challenges—our own or someone else’s? We appreciate the heroic Walmart shoppers, first responders, and emergency department staff on July 26 who did everything in their power to save every life—and succeeded—just as Jesus does . . . the original superman.
About the Author: Amy Zabel is a retired educator who spends her time volunteering for Fresh Hope and NAMI among many other endeavors. She is a resident of Traverse City, MI, and just published her first book, Outcast.
To obtain a free copy, simply email helptheoutcasts1@gmail.com with your name and address and type Fresh Hope in the subject line.
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