Traverse City, Michigan, July 27, 2025 – A violent mass stabbing at a Walmart Supercenter in Traverse City, Michigan, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, left 11 people injured, with six in critical condition and five in serious condition. The suspect, a 42-year-old Michigan resident, was apprehended within minutes of the attack, which authorities have described as a random act of violence.
According to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 4:45 p.m. near the store’s checkout area, where the suspect, armed with a folding knife, began randomly stabbing shoppers. Sheriff Michael Shea confirmed that the suspect acted alone and that there is no indication of additional suspects. The quick response from law enforcement, arriving within three minutes of the initial 911 call, along with citizen involvement, led to the suspect’s swift apprehension. Bystanders also assisted in treating victims before emergency services arrived.
Munson Medical Center, the region’s largest hospital, reported treating 11 victims, with three requiring surgery. As of Saturday evening, six victims remained in critical condition, while five were listed as serious. The victims included six males and five females, though their ages have not been disclosed.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Tiffany DeFell, a 36-year-old resident of Honor, Michigan, was in the parking lot when the incident unfolded. “It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies. It’s not what you expect to see where you’re living.” Another shopper, Julia Martell, reported seeing a man with a knife running through the store’s pharmacy area, with blood visible in the frozen food section.
Social media posts on X highlighted the role of armed citizens in subduing the suspect, with some reports suggesting that two Marine Corps veterans—a Black man and a white man in a pink shirt—were among those who helped disarm and detain the attacker. However, these claims remain unverified by official sources.
Sheriff Shea emphasized the randomness of the attack, stating, “Based on the information we have at this time, it was a random act. The victims were not predetermined.” He declined to provide details about the suspect’s identity or possible motives, citing the ongoing investigation, which is being supported by the Michigan State Police Crime Lab and the FBI.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her condolences, stating on X, “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.” Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Traverse City resident, also commented, saying, “Along with the whole Traverse City community, Chasten and I are shaken by the awful and senseless violence at Walmart earlier today.”
Walmart issued a statement condemning the violence: “Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders. We’ll continue working closely with law enforcement during their investigation.”
The incident has shaken Traverse City, a popular vacation spot on Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, known for its cherry festival and scenic attractions. Sheriff Shea urged the public to remain vigilant, noting, “No area is immune to this type of activity, unfortunately. Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities expected to release more details as evidence is processed and the suspect is formally charged. The public has been advised to avoid the area around the Walmart Supercenter as law enforcement continues its work.
Disclaimer: This article is based on available information from recent reports and social media posts. Some details, particularly regarding citizen involvement, remain unverified. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.