A man accused of stabbing 11 people at a Walmart is in Michigan authorities’ custody
Jul 27, 2025, 5:09 AM | Updated: 3:34 pm
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) 鈥� Chaos unfolded at a Walmart in Michigan after a man burst into the store during a calm shopping afternoon and stabbed 11 people at random, authorities say. The attack on Saturday left six victims in critical condition and a suspect in custody.
The 42-year-old suspect entered the store shortly before 5 p.m. and used a folding knife to stab 11 people, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on social media. A sheriff’s deputy arrived within minutes and took the man into custody.
People in the store also helped apprehend the suspect and treat victims, the sheriff’s office said.
The victims’ ages weren’t immediately released.
鈥淓leven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn鈥檛 more,鈥� Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.
Emergency vehicles and uniformed first responders gathered in the parking lot of the shopping center that houses several other retail stores. Authorities also were seen interviewing employees, still wearing blue uniform vests and name tags, nearby as the response gave way to an investigation.
Tiffany DeFell, 36, who lives in Honor, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Traverse City, said she was in the store’s parking lot when she saw chaos erupt around her.
鈥淚t was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is something you see out of the movies. It鈥檚 not what you expect to see where you鈥檙e living.鈥�
Munson Healthcare said via social media that 11 people were being treated at the region鈥檚 largest hospital in northern Michigan. Spokesperson Megan Brown said all were stabbing victims. Six people were critical and five were in serious condition late Saturday, she said.
Shea said the weapon involved appeared to be a folding-style knife. Shea said the suspect is believed to be a Michigan resident but declined to share further details. Michigan State Police had said earlier in the day that the suspect was in authorities’ custody.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said: 鈥淥ur thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”
Walmart said in a statement that it would continue to work closely with law enforcement in the investigation.
鈥淰iolence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we鈥檙e thankful for the swift action of first responders,鈥� the statement said.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to 鈥減rovide any necessary support.鈥�
Traverse City is a popular vacation spot on the coast of Lake Michigan. It is known for its cherry festival, wineries and lighthouses and is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
