“Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more,” Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Eleven people suffered stab wounds at a Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday, with six individuals in critical condition, in what a Michigan sheriff described as an apparently random act. A suspect has been taken into custody, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. when a 42-year-old man entered the store with a folding knife and attacked 11 people, stated the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office in a message posted on social media. The deputy sheriff promptly arrived at the scene and apprehended the suspect, with assistance from those in the store who also helped capture the suspect and tend to the victims, as per the sheriff’s office.
The victims’ ages weren’t immediately released.
“Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more,” Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.
Emergency response vehicles and personnel in uniform gathered in the shopping center’s parking lot, which is home to various other retail outlets. Meanwhile, authorities were observed conducting interviews with employees who were still wearing their blue uniform vests and name tags, as the initial emergency response transitioned into an investigative phase.
Tiffany DeFell, 36, who lives in Honor, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) 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. Six people were critical and five were in serious condition late Saturday, she said.
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 (40 kilometers) east of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
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