11 people injured in stabbing at Michigan Walmart, suspect in custody

At least 11 people were injured in a stabbing Saturday at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, officials said.

A suspect is in custody, the Michigan State Police said on X. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael D. Shea said the suspect is not familiar to law enforcement.

Shea said at a news conference Saturday that the act appears to be random and that the victims were not predetermined. He said he could not comment on whether it was a “mental health situation.”

Eleven people are being treated for stab wounds at Munson Medical Center, said Munson Healthcare spokesperson Catherine Dewey. Six are in critical condition and five are in serious condition, she said.

It was not immediately clear if there were more victims. Shea said he was not sure of the victims’ ages and that he does not think any of the victims were Walmart employees.

The incident started near the checkout area in Walmart, Shea said. The suspect, a Michigan resident, was captured in three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement,” and was not injured.

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

He said the company is working with law enforcement.

The FBI is responding to the incident and is available to “provide any necessary support to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office,” Dan Bongino, deputy director of the FBI, said on X.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she is in touch with law enforcement “about the horrible news out of Traverse City.”

“Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence,” she said.

Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.