TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Nearly a dozen people were injured in a stabbing on Saturday, July 26th at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, authorities said.
In a post on X, the Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed that a suspect is in custody, NBC News reported. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael D. Shea said the suspect is not familiar to law enforcement and that the attack appears to be random, and that the victims were not predetermined.
Shea said that he could not comment on whether it was a "mental health situation." Eleven people were injured. Six of them are in critical condition and five are in serious condition, according to Munson Healthcare spokesperson Catherine Dewey.
The incident started near the checkout area in Walmart. At 4:43 p.m., the 42-year-old male suspect entered the store in Garfield Township with a folding knife; the suspect then stabbed 11 people in total and acted alone.
The suspect, a Michigan resident, was captured in three minutes thanks to "citizen involvement," according to the sheriff's office. A deputy was on scene within minutes and took the alleged suspect into custody.
"Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we're thankful for the swift action of first responders," Walmart spokesperson Joe Pennington said. He said that the company is cooperating with law enforcement and their investigation.
The FBI is responding to the incident and is available to "provide any necessary support to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office," Dan Bongino, Deputy Director of the FBI, wrote on X.
The sheriff's office confirmed that none of the victims were first responders or Walmart employees. On X, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that she is continuing to monitor the situation closely, Fox News reported.
"I'm in touch with law enforcement about the horrible news out of Traverse City," she wrote. "Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence. I am grateful to the first responders for their swift response to apprehend the suspect."
The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff's office have identified the alleged suspect as Bradford James Gille, according to NBC News.
