11 Injured in Random Stabbing Attack at Michigan Walmart, Suspect in Custody

A man armed with a folding knife went on a stabbing rampage Saturday afternoon at a Walmart near Traverse City, Michigan, injuring at least 11 people in what officials described as a random and unprovoked attack.

Authorities said the suspect, a 42-year-old Michigan resident whose name has not been released, is in custody. He allegedly acted alone, and no motive has been identified.

The incident unfolded around 4:45 p.m. near the store’s checkout area, according to Sheriff Michael D. Shea of Grand Traverse County. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, and the suspect was detained in less than three minutes thanks in part to what the sheriff described as "citizen involvement."

The attacker used a standard folding knife during the assault. The victims included six men and five women. As of Saturday night, three individuals were undergoing surgery at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, with others still being assessed for injuries. Hospital spokesperson Megan Brown declined to provide details on the nature or severity of the wounds.

"This appears to be a completely random act," Sheriff Shea said during a news conference. "The victims were not targeted."

Witnesses described a scene of chaos. Julia Martell, 30, was shopping in the canned vegetables aisle when she heard screams and saw a man with a knife running through the pharmacy area. She said he stabbed several people as he moved through the store before changing direction toward her.

“He had the knife in his hand — it looked like a small blade, maybe two inches long,” she said. “I ran. He didn’t chase me, but that made it even scarier. I didn’t know where he was going next.”

Martell said she saw three victims with stab wounds as she evacuated, including one man lying in a pool of blood in the frozen food section.

Walmart issued a statement calling the incident “unacceptable” and thanked first responders for their swift actions. The company said it is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

The FBI has joined the case to assist local law enforcement. Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed the agency’s involvement in a social media post Saturday evening.

The investigation remains active as authorities work to understand what led to the sudden and violent outburst in the otherwise quiet Michigan town.