Experienced former police officer recalls details of Shreve City attack that led to him stabbing his attacker

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KTAL/KMSS) – The victim of a random attack at a local Walmart shares how his experience helped him survive and overpower the alleged attacker.

“I reached for a can of green beans. About the moment I reached up, someone suddenly started hitting me in the back of the head,” said local business owner, Air Force veteran and former police officer Lonnie Blansit

Blansit said he stopped by the Walmart in Shreve City on Friday morning to pick up some items when he was randomly attacked from behind.

“I, I don’t know who’s beating me. I don’t know how many people are beating me, but it’s like my style, I just get beat from both sides, just hand over hand,” Blansit said.

Shreveport police issued a press release claiming the attacker was 31-year-old Davante Palmer. Thanks to Blansit’s military and police experience, Palme knew how to defend himself.

“At that point, I feared for my life. I felt like I can’t get rid of this guy. I have to do something. So I have a concealed carry permit, so I’m legally carrying. At that point, I made the conscious decision to shoot him,” Blansit said.

Investigators say Palmer grabbed the gun and fired one shot. Blansit says the gun jammed, so he quickly removed the magazine. Blansit then came face to face with his attacker.

“So I pulled out my knife, I had a second knife that I wear around my neck. I pulled out my knife and then I just started stabbing and pretty much cut him up. And that’s when he fell backwards,” Blansit said. “Who are you? What are you doing? Why are you attacking me? And he said, he said a white guy outside stole my cooler. He said, so somebody has to pay for this.”

Minutes later, police arrived, and although Blansit wishes it had never happened, he says it could have been much worse.

“I’m grateful that it was me who was able to fight him off, not my wife, not some old man or someone who couldn’t defend himself and didn’t have the same skills as me,” Blansit said.

Palmer was arrested and faces a charge of simple assault.