Michigan Walmart Stabbing Leaves 11 Injured, Suspect Detained

Traverse City, Mich — A violent incident unfolded at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, on Saturday afternoon, leaving 11 people injured in what authorities describe as a random knife attack. According to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, a 42-year-old Michigan man entered the store around 4:45 p.m. and began stabbing customers near the checkout area with a folding knife.

Sheriff Michael D. Shea reported that the suspect was apprehended within minutes, thanks to the quick response of a sheriff’s deputy and assistance from bystanders who helped subdue the attacker. The sheriff emphasized that the attack appeared to be random, with no evidence suggesting the victims were specifically targeted. “Based on our current information, this was a random act,” Shea told reporters during a Saturday evening press conference.

All 11 victims were transported to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City for treatment. Megan Brown, a spokesperson for Munson Healthcare, confirmed that six of the injured were in critical condition, while five were listed as serious as of Saturday night. The ages of the victims have not been disclosed, but authorities noted that none were Walmart employees.

The Michigan State Police announced on X that the suspect was in custody shortly after 6 p.m., urging the public to avoid the area as the investigation continued. The agency stated that its crime lab personnel were en route to process the scene, after which the store could reopen. The FBI also responded, with Deputy Director Dan Bongino stating on social media that federal agents were on hand to support the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her condolences in a statement on X, saying, “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.” Walmart issued a statement condemning the violence and thanking first responders for their rapid action. “We’re working closely with law enforcement during their investigation,” said Walmart spokesperson Joe Pennington.

Sheriff Shea described the incident as highly unusual for Traverse City, a popular vacation destination located about 255 miles northwest of Detroit. “Violence like this is uncommon for our area, but unfortunately, no community is immune,” he said. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities yet to release the suspect’s identity or a possible motive.