Authorities have identified the knifeman who stabbed 11 people inside a Michigan Walmart as Bradford James Gille.
Gille, 42, will face charges of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder, the Grand Traverse county prosecutor has revealed.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg informed the media that a terrorism charge is being pursued because investigators suspect Gille aimed to impact the whole community, instilling fear and altering daily operations.
The vicious incident occurred at Walmart in Traverse City on a Saturday afternoon. According to authorities, Gille reportedly entered the store during a typical shopping time and randomly attacked individuals with a folding pocket knife.
Minutes after the attack, he was in custody with the help of bystanders at the store.
Moeggenberg called the attack ‘a very random act of violence.’
Gille, who has been identified by police as a resident of Michigan, is being held at the Grand Traverse County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned either Monday or Tuesday.
Bradford James Gille, 42, faces charges of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder over the attack in Traverse City
Gille allegedly entered the store during a calm shopping afternoon and randomly stabbed the victims with a folding pocket knife, authorities say
Heroic shoppers forced Gille to drop his weapon after went on a brutal stabbing near the checkout counter of the supermarket.
About five minutes later, the man was surrounded by shoppers in the parking lot, including one who was holding a gun.
During the urgency of the situation, one of the brave men lost his shoes and was walking barefoot as he ordered the knife-wielding man to drop his weapon.
‘Get on the ground!’ one of the men could be heard shouting.
‘Drop the knife! Drop it!’ another bellowed.
‘Throw the knife that way! Throw it away!’ the barefoot man continued to yell.
The group of five or six people kept yelling at Gille ‘drop the knife’.
‘I don’t care, I don’t care,’ Gille replied, according to police. He kept backing away from the crowd, before someone tackled and subdued him.
Sheriff Mike Shea praised the quick response from law enforcement officers who arrived within three minutes after receiving the call about the stabbing but also a group of bystanders who intervened and detained Gille in the parking lot.
The suspect, a 42-year-old Michigan resident, is seen being confronted by ordinary shoppers after he rampaged through the Walmart
Law enforcement officers are seen stationed outside a Walmart where several people were stabbed in a violent attack Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Traverse City
Grand Traverse Sheriff’s deputies tape off the parking lot of a Walmart after a stabbing incident
Calls began coming in to authorities at 4:43pm on Saturday and a sheriff’s deputy arrived at 4:46pm.
‘I cannot commend everyone that was involved enough. When you stop and look from the time of call to the time of actual custody, the individual was detained within one minute,’ Shea said at Sunday’s press conference.
‘That is remarkable. When you look at it in that mitigated Lord knows how many additional victims.’
Shea said the 11 victims were both men and women and they ranged in age from 21 to 84. One victim was a Walmart employee.
Munson Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom Schermerhorn said at a press conference Sunday that one patient was treated and released; two were in serious condition; and the rest are in fair condition.
Walmart said in a statement Saturday that it would continue to work closely with law enforcement in the investigation.
On Sunday, a spokesman said he didn’t have any details about the store reopening and had no updates beyond the statement released late Saturday.
‘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 read.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg (pictured Sunday) said her office is seeking charges of terrorism against Gille, as well as 11 counts of assault with intent to murder
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to ‘provide any necessary support’.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said: ‘Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.’
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.
