A stabbing rampage inside a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, left at least 11 people injured Saturday evening, prompting a large-scale law enforcement response and renewed concerns over random acts of violence in public spaces. Authorities said a 42-year-old Michigan resident, armed with a folding knife, carried out the attack and is now in custody.
Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea stated at a press conference that the assailant appeared to act alone and targeted victims randomly. "There is no information indicating there were additional suspects," Shea said. "It appears that these were all random acts."
The attack occurred around 5 p.m. near the checkout area of the store. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as panicked shoppers and employees fled in multiple directions. "The whole store started screaming and running," Walmart employee Tasha Nash told Channel 2 Now. "There was a guy with a knife - he stabbed six people. I saw someone stabbed in the eye."
Authorities confirmed that six male and five female victims were transported to Munson Medical Center, which later said it was treating all 11 individuals. The hospital warned that its emergency department was experiencing "a higher-than-usual volume of patients" and requested public patience. "Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this event," the hospital posted.
Three of the victims were undergoing surgery Saturday evening, Sheriff Shea said. The severity of the remaining injuries remains unclear. Police have not yet released the suspect's identity or established a motive.
Officials also acknowledged that "citizen involvement" played a role in subduing the attacker before police arrived. Photos from local news outlets showed the suspect being taken into custody by Grand Traverse County deputies.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer posted on social media that she had been briefed on the situation. "Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence," Whitmer wrote. "I am grateful to the first responders for their swift response to apprehend the suspect."
