Chaos at Michigan Walmart: Armed Civilian Helps Stop Mass Stabbing
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – A terrifying scene unfolded at a Walmart store in northern Michigan on Saturday, July 26, when a man randomly stabbed 11 people, but what could have been a far greater tragedy was reportedly cut short by the swift and brave intervention of multiple bystanders, including one armed civilian.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille of Afton, Michigan, entered the Walmart located at 410 Saturday afternoon. Approximately 30 minutes later, around 4:40 p.m., he allegedly began attacking shoppers at random using a folding knife with a 3.5-inch blade near the store’s checkout area, according to authorities.
Shoppers inside the store described a scene of chaos and terror. Julia Martell, who was present, recounted hearing screams and seeing the attacker shove someone. “I was right there, I saw the knife,” she said, noting that many of the victims appeared to be individuals who couldn’t physically get out of the way, including people in wheelchairs.
As the attack spilled into the parking lot, multiple citizens intervened to confront Gille. Among these heroic bystanders was Derrick Perry, a Marine veteran who was armed with a pistol. Footage circulating on social media shows Perry drawing his handgun and shouting, “Drop it! Throw the knife now. Throw it away!” as he held Gille at bay. Other individuals also rushed the suspect, with one reportedly using a shopping cart to knock him down.
A Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s deputy arrived on scene within minutes of receiving 911 calls, finding several citizens already confronting the suspect in the parking lot. The deputy took Gille into custody without further incident.
“I cannot commend everyone that was involved enough,” said Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael D. Shea, praising the bystanders. “What they did was amazing.”
Eleven victims, ranging in age from 29 to 84, including a Walmart employee, were injured in the attack and transported to Munson Medical Center. While six were initially in critical condition and five in severe condition, hospital officials reported encouraging signs of recovery, with one patient already treated and released as of Sunday. All victims are expected to survive.
Authorities stated that Gille acted alone, and while no clear motive has been determined, he has a history of prior assaultive incidents and controlled substance violations. Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg announced that Gille would be charged with one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. The terrorism charge, rarely used in Michigan, is being sought because the attack was intended to “put fear in the entire community and to change how maybe we operate on a daily basis,” Moeggenberg explained.
The bravery of citizens like Derrick Perry and other unnamed individuals who confronted the attacker is being widely celebrated, with many on social media calling for formal recognition of their life-saving actions. “Good men who are armed save lives,” one commenter wrote, reflecting the sentiment of many grateful community members.
