Worker who pulled gun to stop stabbing attack at GM Tech Center says he was fired

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) - A valet attendant who intervened in a stabbing at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren on Wednesday says he has been fired.

Didarul Sarder, an SP+ Valet Supervisor, was heading into work that morning when he heard the cry for help.

"The lady kept saying 'I'm dying, someone help' and it was just natural reaction," says Sarder. "I just see this lady getting stabbed. I only had like half a second to think and I unholstered my firearm and pointed it at her to drop the knife."

The stabbing happened right outside the main entrance of the central office building. Warren police say the suspect, a 32-year-old woman, came to see the employee. They argued in the lobby then went outside where the suspect pulled a knife, stabbing her multiple times in the neck, back and abdomen. The suspect has since been identified as the daughter of the victim.

Sarder says he told the woman to stay put until she was arrested by police.

FOX 2: "You probably saved this woman's life."

"I hope so, I hope she makes it," Sarder says. "Maybe those few seconds before the police arrived could be the difference between life and death."

The victim, identified as Stephanie Kerr, is in critical condition, and is lucky the stabbing didn't continue any longer, according to city officials. All of which is why Sarder says he was surprised to have been fired on the spot by a GM employee and then escorted off the property.

"He said, 'You shouldn't have had a firearm here. After this is done he needs to be escorted off the property. He's not welcome back here.' I was really bummed out. I got a little emotional," he says.

Sarder, who has a valid CPL, works for a company contracted by GM. He says he started working on the grounds in December and was never informed of a no-gun policy.

GM officials, however, deny firing Sarder and say in a statement, "Because this is an ongoing investigation we cannot comment. However, we can say GM has not requested the valet be dismissed.To our knowledge the valet remains an employee of the vendor."

Police and Mayor of Warren Jim Fouts say Sarder is a hero who should be honored.

"Had it not been for his quick action and quick thinking, pulling out his concealed weapon, she might have been murdered on site," Fouts said.

Sarder has no regrets.

"I would do it all over again," he said. "If I could save this woman's life over a job. I can get another job."