Maybe the suspect tripped and fell?

A Force-Recon Marine collecting toys for children was stabbed when he helped stop a suspected shoplifter in east Plainfield.

The 'Toys-R-Us' Store Manager told 'The Plain Dealer' that man was seen on surveillance cameras last Friday putting a laptop under his jacket at the store.

When confronted, the man became irate, knocked down an employee, pulled a knife and ran toward the door.
Outside were four Force-Recon Marines collecting toys for the "Toys For Tots" program.

Smith said the Marines stopped the man, but he stabbed one of them, in the back.
The cut did not appear to be severe.

The suspect was transported by ambulance to the Plainfield County Hospital with two broken arms, a broken leg, possible broken ribs, multiple contusions and assorted lacerations including a broken nose and jaw ...