Share this @internewscast.com

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) 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 the victims, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on social media. Their ages weren’t immediately known.

A sheriff’s deputy arrived within minutes and took the man into custody.

Steven Carter was loading his truck in the Walmart parking lot when he saw a man cut a woman’s throat with a knife.

About five minutes later, the man was surrounded by shoppers in the parking lot, including one who was holding a gun. The group of five or six people kept yelling to the man, “drop the knife,” he said, and the man responded: “I don’t care, I don’t care.” He kept backing away from the crowd before someone tackled and subdued him.

“At first, it was disbelief. I thought maybe it was like a terror attack,” said Carter, who delivers customer orders from Walmart. “And then it was fear, disbelief, shock. And that was, it was just amazing. And it all happened fast. Like he was totally subdued on the ground by the time police arrived.”

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 from Traverse City, said she was in the store’s parking lot when she saw chaos erupt around her.

“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies. It’s not what you expect to see where you’re living.”

Munson Healthcare said via social media that 11 people were being treated at the region’s largest hospital in northern Michigan. Spokesperson Megan Brown said all were stabbing victims. As of Sunday morning, Brown said, four of the victims were in serious condition, and seven were in fair condition.

“We’ve have seen encouraging signs of recovery among our patients,” Brown said.

Sheriff Michael 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: “Our 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.

“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” the statement said.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to “provide any necessary support.”

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 east of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

One Year After Hurricane Helene: A Civilian Rescuer Looks Back

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. (WFLA) — Friday marks one year since Hurricane Helene…

Comey Claims Innocence Post-Indictment: ‘I Have No Fear’

WASHINGTON (The Hill) — Former FBI Director James Comey expressed deep sadness…

Ryan Walters Steps Down to Head Conservative Educators Association

Republican Ryan Walters, the leading official of Oklahoma’s public schools system, declared…

Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Ruling on Plan to Terminate Birthright Citizenship

WASHINGTON — On Friday, the Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to…

Current Status of Invest 94L: Is Florida at Risk?

ORLANDO, Fla. – In the southwestern Atlantic, a tropical system is rapidly…

“Orlando’s ‘Fallapalooza’ Shines a Light on Senior Fall Prevention Initiatives”

ORLANDO, Fla. – Given that falls are the primary cause of fatal…

Popeyes Files Lawsuit Against 5 Iowa Restaurants for Operating Without Authorization

DES MOINES, Iowa (WHO) – Are you eating at an officially sanctioned…

Weezer Bassist’s Wife Accused of Shooting at Police Escapes Jail Time

An author and spouse of a well-known musician, who purportedly shot at…

Medical Examiner Confirms CTE Diagnosis in Shooter Who Targeted NFL Headquarters

The gunman who believed he had CTE when he took the lives…

Nearly 60% of Employed Americans Feel Unprepared for Retirement

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A recent survey reveals that nearly 60% of…

Annual Business Expo Takes Place: ‘Connecting Where Business Thrives’

SAVANNAH, Ga — Thursday marked another year of the Savannah Area Chamber’s…

Infant Discovered in Texas Dumpster; Mother Detained: Report

Graphic Warning: This story contains graphic images or video that may be…