Ordinary citizens become heroes during frightening confrontation in Lincoln Township

HOMETOWN HERO… Anthony Wade of Watervliet poses for a photo, representing the courage and willingness to step up when his community needed him. Wade, along with several other citizens, was credited with helping thwart what could have become an active-shooter situation at Coach’s Bar & Grill in Stevensville on July 31, 2026. (TCR photo by Angela Widdis)

Most people walking into a restaurant for dinner expect an evening with family or friends. Few expect to find themselves making split-second decisions that could save someone’s life.

That was the reality for Anthony Wade, a 2018 Watervliet High School graduate, who was in town July 31 for a friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner when an ordinary evening turned into a life-threatening situation outside Coach’s Bar & Grill in Lincoln Township.

“I just reacted,” Wade said.

Moments after arriving, Wade noticed what appeared to be a struggle between a security guard and another man in the parking lot. Before anyone had time to process what was happening, the confrontation escalated when the man allegedly pulled a handgun and pointed it at the security guard.

Want to read more?

Subscribe to tricityrecord.com to keep reading this exclusive post.

Subscribe Now