At Least 11 Stabbed at Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — At least 11 people were stabbed during a violent attack at a Walmart in northern Michigan on Saturday, prompting a swift response from local and federal authorities. A suspect has been taken into custody, but details remain limited as the investigation continues.
The incident unfolded at a Walmart in Traverse City, a well-known vacation destination on the coast of Lake Michigan. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, where a fire truck and multiple police vehicles were spotted outside the store.
Munson Healthcare, the region’s largest hospital network, confirmed that 11 individuals were being treated for stab wounds. Hospital spokesperson Megan Brown said all of the patients were victims of the stabbing, though she did not immediately provide details on their conditions. The hospital said updates would be issued “as appropriate.”
Authorities have not yet identified the suspect or released a possible motive for the attack. The Michigan State Police confirmed that the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. In a public advisory, the agency asked residents and visitors to avoid the area while law enforcement officers continue processing the scene.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer responded to the news with a public statement expressing her concern and support for the victims and community.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence,” she said. “My office is in contact with local law enforcement as the investigation progresses.”
Walmart spokesperson Joe Pennington issued a brief statement, noting that the company is cooperating with authorities and deferring all questions to law enforcement. “We are working with police and defer questions to them right now,” Pennington wrote in an email.
The FBI is also involved, with Deputy Director Dan Bongino announcing via social media that federal agents were responding to assist local authorities with the investigation. “We’re providing any necessary support,” Bongino stated.
As of Saturday evening, police had not released any further information about the identity of the suspect, their age, or any connection to the victims. It remains unclear whether the attack was targeted or random.
The stabbing has shocked residents and tourists alike in Traverse City, a town of roughly 15,000 people that is renowned for its natural beauty, wineries, cherry festival, and proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Violent crime in the area is rare, making the incident all the more unsettling for the community.
Witnesses and store employees are being interviewed by investigators, and police are reviewing surveillance footage from the Walmart. The store remained closed for the remainder of the day, with yellow tape blocking off the parking lot.
Mental health counselors are being made available to victims, witnesses, and employees affected by the traumatic event. Local officials said additional security measures may be put in place at public venues over the coming days as a precaution.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or video footage related to the incident to contact the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are expected to release more details, including the names and conditions of the victims and the suspect’s background. For now, the community is left grappling with the shock of a sudden and violent attack in a place many consider safe and familiar.
