TRAVERSE CITY — Eleven people were hospitalized and a suspect is in custody after police say he stabbed them all in a Walmart near Traverse City, according to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea.
Someone inside the store called emergency dispatchers at 4:43 p.m. Saturday to report the stabbings in progress, Shea said.
A sheriff’s deputy arrived within three minutes and, with help from a civilian, took a 42-year-old man into custody.
As word of the incident spread, the public was advised to keep clear of the area while police interviewed store employees and the scene was taped off for processing by the Michigan State Police crime lab.
The suspect is a resident of Michigan, Shea said, but he declined to say more at that time about the civilian who helped police.
Six men and five women were injured and three were in surgery as of Saturday evening, Shea said. He had no further information on their ages, towns of residence or health conditions, and said the department would release more information as it becomes available.
Catherine Dewey, regional marketing communications manager for Munson Medical Center, said Saturday night that 11 victims of the stabbing were being treated there.
“Following the violent attack at the Walmart in Traverse City this afternoon, here are the patient conditions that we can currently share with the news media: Munson Healthcare is currently treating 11 patients as a result of this stabbing incident – 5 are in serious condition and 6 are in critical condition at this time.”
“We are working closely with local authorities and emergency services to ensure the best possible care for those impacted,” the Munson statement read.
Police believe the assailant chose the victims at random and attacked them with a folding knife, Shea said. The incident started near the checkout lanes toward the front of the store.
The violent attacks received national news coverage with The New York Times quoting a witness who said she saw the man running through the store’s pharmacy area:
“As the man moved through the store, he was shoving and stabbing people, she said. Then the man changed course and started running toward her. She saw the knife in his hand – a knife with a blade about 2 inches long – and ran. The man didn’t follow her and instead turned back to the store entrance.”
Rough video footage posted online by Channel 2 Now shows a chaotic scene with several shoppers confronting a suspect in the Walmart parking lot, yelling at a man to “put it down.” Moments later, police arrive and the man is taken into custody.
After the arrest was made, traumatized employees waited outside the store as police gathered eyewitness accounts.
Mass-violence incidents are rare in the Grand Traverse region, Shea agreed. Unfortunately, no community is immune to tragedies like this one, he said.
“Be vigilant,” the sheriff said. “Know that no area is immune to this type of activity unfortunately, and if you see something, please reach out, call 911.”
The crime lab was investigating the scene, said Shea, who didn’t know when the store might reopen to the public. Law enforcement is in contact with store management, and they’ll be able to reopen once police clear the scene, he said.
Traverse City Police, Antrim County and Leelanau County sheriff’s deputies, East Bay Ambulance, MMR, Munson Medical Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigations assisted with the response, Shea said.
Munson Medical Center Emergency Department was experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients Saturday, staff reported.
“We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we manage this increased demand,” Dewey said.
“We will provide updates as appropriate and continue to support our community during this difficult time.”