Multiple people reported stabbed at Michigan Walmart, state police say
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
At least 11 being treated after mass stabbing at Michigan Walmart
At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan. A suspect is in custody, police say. The attack appeared to be random, the sheriff says. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says 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,” Whitmer writes in an X post on her Twitter account. “The Michigan State Crime Lab is sending personnel to the scene,” the FBI says on its social media site. “Please avoid the area as the investigation is ongoing,” Michigan State Police says in a post.
“Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a multiple stabbing incident at the Wal-Mart in Traverse City,” Michigan State Police announced in an X post around 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. “The suspect is in custody, details are limited at this time.” The police asked people to “please avoid the area as the investigation is ongoing.”
Munson Healthcare, a healthcare system in northern Michigan, said 11 people are being treated at its medical center.
“Munson Healthcare is aware of the tragic incident that occurred earlier today at the Walmart in Traverse City,” the system said on Facebook. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this event, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement for their swift action.”
Munson said it is working with local authorities and emergency services to “ensure the best possible care for those impacted.” Additionally, it said it is “currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients.”
Sheriff: Suspect a Michigan resident, weapon a folding knife
Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters at a news conference the attack appeared to have been random and the weapon was a standard folding knife. He told reporters the suspect “appears” to be a Michigan resident but he refused to identify the person further.
“Based on the information that we have at this time, they were random acts,” Shea said.
Asked about the weapon, Shea said “it appears to be a standard folding-knife style weapon.”
The Michigan State Crime Lab is sending personnel to the scene, he said.
Asked for advice in how to respond to this type of incident, Shea said to “be vigilant.”“Know that no area is immune to this kind of activity,” Shea said.
Gov. Whitmer thanks first responders after ‘horrible news’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in an X post that 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. I am grateful to the first responders for their swift response to apprehend the suspect,” the governor wrote.
Whitmer added that she will “continue monitoring the situation closely.”
FBI participating in investigation
The FBI is also responding.
“FBI personnel are responding to provide any necessary support to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation of the attacks at the Walmart,” Dan Bongino, the FBI deputy director, said on social media.
Kim Harris, a spokesperson for Walmart, told USA TODAY in an email that the company is “working with police and right now will defer questions to them.”
Where is Traverse City?
Traverse City, which the U.S. Census Bureau reports has a population of nearly 16,000, is in northern Michigan, about 150 miles north of Grand Rapids and 255 miles northwest of Detroit.
This is a developing story.