On Saturday, July 26, 2025, a knife attack left at least 11 people injured inside a Walmart store in Traverse City, Michigan, causing chaos and terror among customers and employees. The stabbings were random and escalated quickly, and one suspect has been taken into custody.
How did the attack at the Traverse City Walmart happen?
According to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea, the incident began around 5:00 p.m. when a 42-year-old man — whose name has not yet been released — entered the store with a folding knife and began randomly stabbing people he encountered.
“Based on the information we have at this time, these were random acts,” Shea said at a press conference. The attack began in the store’s checkout area, sparking immediate panic. “The whole store started screaming and running,” said store employee Tasha Nash. “There was a guy with a knife — he stabbed six people. I saw someone stabbed in the eye.”
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How many people were injured and what is their condition?
A total of 11 people were rushed to Munson Medical Center, the largest hospital in northern Michigan. According to hospital spokesperson Catherine Dewey, five of the injured are in serious condition and six are in critical condition. Megan Brown, another spokesperson for Munson, confirmed that all the victims were stabbed.
The ages of the injured have not been specified, although the sheriff stated that none of the victims appear to be Walmart employees. Authorities reported that six of the victims are male and five are female.
Who stopped the attacker?
The suspect was subdued before police arrived, thanks to the intervention of brave citizens at the scene. One of them was armed. There was citizen involvement in detaining the suspect, Shea confirmed. It was also confirmed that some customers helped provide immediate care to the wounded.
Videos shared on social media show the attacker surrounded by customers shouting at him, while one person points a firearm to keep him under control until authorities arrived. The attacker was not injured and was taken into custody without further incident.
Who is the alleged attacker?
So far, authorities have not publicly released the identity of the assailant. It has only been confirmed that he is a 42-year-old Michigan resident. Michael Shea stated that the suspect has no prior criminal record and is believed to have acted alone.
“There is no information indicating there were additional suspects,” said the sheriff. Regarding his mental health status, Shea declined to comment: “We are not going to comment on the mental health status of the suspect.”
What did Walmart report?
After the attack, Walmart released a statement condemning the violence: “Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we are grateful for the swift action of emergency services.”
The FBI also joined the investigation. Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on social media that federal agents are now working with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office to provide “any necessary support.”
Additionally, the Michigan State Police Crime Lab is expected to process the scene. Once authorities complete their investigation at the site, Walmart will be able to reopen its doors.
What have state officials and the community said?
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke out on social media platform X shortly after the attack: “I’m in touch with law enforcement about the horrible news coming out of Traverse City. Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence. I’m grateful to the first responders for their swift response in apprehending the suspect.”
The incident also struck a personal chord with public figures. Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and his husband Chasten — a Traverse City native — expressed their shock.
Where is Traverse City?
Traverse City, located about 255 miles northwest of Detroit, is known as a peaceful community. Sheriff Shea emphasized that this kind of violence is extremely rare in the region: “Violence like this is very uncommon for our area,” he said. “But unfortunately… no one is immune to this.”
What’s next in the investigation?
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area while crime scene investigators complete their work. Local police, the FBI, and the Michigan State Police are working together to determine the motive behind the attack, which remains unknown.
In the coming days, more details are expected regarding the attacker’s identity, background, and whether any deeper motives or connections are involved. For now, the main focus remains on the victims’ health and the community’s emotional recovery.
