At least 11 people sustained injuries in a stabbing incident at a Walmart store in the Midwestern state of Michigan on Saturday, with police indicating it appeared to be a random attack. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea confirmed at a press conference that a 42-year-old male suspect was in custody.
“Based on the information that we have at this time, it appears they were random acts,” Shea stated regarding the attack in Traverse City, Michigan. “The victims were not predetermined,” Shea added, noting that the suspect, a Michigan resident, seemingly acted alone and used a “folding knife.” Late Saturday, six victims were in critical condition and five were in serious condition, according to a statement from Munson Healthcare. At least three of the victims were undergoing surgery, Shea confirmed. The victims included six men and five women.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer communicated that she was in contact with law enforcement concerning the “horrible news.” “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence,” Whitmer posted on X.
Eyewitness Julia Martell told The New York Times that she heard screaming and observed a man with a knife running through the store’s pharmacy section. Martell described seeing the man shoving and stabbing people as he moved through the store. The 30-year-old witness recounted seeing three individuals with stab wounds and “blood everywhere.” Shea indicated that the stabbing spree initially began near the store’s checkout area. “It is very uncommon for our area,” he said about the violence, adding that citizens within the Walmart “assisted” in apprehending the suspect. Traverse City is a popular tourist destination situated on the shore of Lake Michigan.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that agents were providing “any necessary support to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation of the attacks at the Walmart.”
