11 injured in ‘random’ Walmart stabbing attack, sheriff says

Law enforcement officers have detained a man suspected of stabbing 11 people inside a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, in what they said appeared to be a random act of violence. According to local health officials, six of the victims were in critical condition Saturday night.

The suspect — a 42-year-old man who was not previously known to police and is believed to be a Michigan resident — is in custody, Grand Traverse Sheriff Michael D. Shea told a news conference Saturday.

“Based on the information we have at this time, it appears they were random acts,” he said. “The victims were not predetermined.”

Shea’s office said the suspect, whom they did not identify by name, entered the Walmart in Garfield Township at 4:43 p.m. He then “used a folding knife to stab eleven people of unknown ages,” the statement said. The office said authorities believe the suspect acted alone.

According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy arrived at the scene within minutes and took the man into custody, assisted by Walmart customers, who also helped treat victims. The sheriff’s office did not respond to a request for comment early Sunday.

Walmart employees and customers wait outside Saturday.

In a statement Saturday evening, Munson Medical Center in Traverse City said it was treating 11 stabbing victims — six in critical condition and five in serious condition. “Munson Healthcare leadership wishes to thank our amazing staff, which responded commendably and admirably under these tragic circumstances,” the facility said.

Shea said the incident started near a checkout counter but declined to give further details. “Eleven victims is too many, but thank God it wasn’t more,” he said.

Authorities did not immediately offer any information about a potential motive.

Michigan State Police officers talk to employees near the scene.

In an emailed statement Sunday, Walmart said: “Violence like this is unacceptable.”

“Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders. We’ll continue working closely with law enforcement during their investigation,” it added.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said on X that she was in contact with law enforcement: “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.”

Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg (D), who lives in Traverse City, said he and his husband, Chasten, were shaken by reports of the violent attack. “We’re thinking of everyone affected and hoping and praying for speedy recovery for all those who were injured,” he wrote on X.

Random mass stabbings are relatively uncommon in the United States, with shootings accounting for the vast majority of deaths in mass killings. Last year, a 22-year-old Illinois man went on a rampage through his neighborhood of Rockford after smoking marijuana he claimed was “laced” with an unknown narcotic, authorities said, leaving four dead and seven others injured within a 20-minute span. And in 2022, Bryan Kohberger stabbed and killed four University of Idaho students in an attack that left investigators perplexed about a possible link between him and his victims. Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday.

At the news conference Saturday, Shea, Traverse City’s sheriff, said this type of stabbing is “very uncommon” in the city of just under 16,000 people on the shores of Lake Michigan. But he said “no area is immune to this type of activity” and told the public to “be vigilant.”