THOMASVILLE —Three civilians are being praised for their brave actions after apprehending a violent customer at Walmart on Sunday night. 

At around 7 p.m., Thomasville Police Department was dispatched to Walmart in reference to reports of a customer who attacked another customer.

Police later found out that the suspect was said to have used a machete from the sporting goods aisle in Walmart and was running through the store threatening to kill other customers. 

“He was seen and captured on video camera running up and down the aisles, just acting out of his mind,” Lt. Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander, said. “He threatened to kill people. He was basically running up and down the aisles screaming how he was a warrior.”

According to reports, the suspect later wielded the machete at one customer who was leaving Walmart and ended up striking her in the arm.

“In a defensive manner, she threw her arms up and was cut along her forearm,” Knifer said.

The victim, 39, was taken to Archbold Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries and released. 

During the incident, three civilians with legal gun rights detained the suspect until police arrived at the scene.

Knifer said while in police custody the suspect continued to act irate and damaged police property. 

Malik Thomas, 19, will be charged with shoplifting, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to government property, terroristic threats and acts and other charges that are pending.

Through testimonies of people who knew the suspect, Knifer said there was no indication that Thomas was going to initiate the incident. 

“We’re in the process of investigating him and his history of what could have caused this incident,” he said. “The victim and the suspect don’t know each other. It was just a random act, and we believe it’s going to be an isolated act as well.” 

Knifer said TPD was grateful to the three civilians who used their gun rights heroically during the incident. 

“On behalf of the Police Department, we appreciate their assistance and their willingness to step up in a situation like this,” he said. “They were armed citizens who had that legal right to have a firearm and they used it to hold this guy at bay.”