A Michigan man is facing serious charges after allegedly going on a stabbing spree at a Walmart, targeting shoppers with a 3.5-inch “folding knife” and leaving bloodshed in his wake.
Bradford Gille, 42, of Afton, is charged with terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder for the attack that occurred at the Walmart in Garfield Township over the weekend.
The Stabbing Attack
The violent rampage began on Saturday afternoon, with Gille reportedly stabbing at least 11 people in a Walmart store. Victims ranged in age from 29 to 84, with the oldest being in their 80s.
Many of the victims were elderly and some in wheelchairs, which witnesses say made it difficult for them to escape the attack. One shopper, Julia Martell, described the horror in the store, saying, “There was blood everywhere,” and that people were “sitting at the ends of aisles, just bleeding.”
Martell, who witnessed the scene, added that it appeared Gille was deliberately targeting older patrons who couldn’t physically escape. The store quickly became a scene of chaos and panic, with people screaming and fleeing for their lives.
Stopping the Attack
The stabbing spree was brought to an end by a group of “citizens” who confronted Gille in the store’s parking lot, including one who was armed with a pistol. The group managed to subdue him before law enforcement arrived.
According to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was nearby and arrived at the scene at 4:46 p.m., just as citizens were preventing Gille from fleeing. He was arrested without further incident.
Witness Accounts and Motive
Witnesses described the frightening scene, with one shopper, Tiffany DeFell, saying, “It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out.” Steven Carter, a Walmart delivery driver, recounted seeing a woman’s throat being cut before Gille was subdued. Gille reportedly said, “I don’t care, I don’t care” when confronted by the group of citizens who stopped him.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, and it is unknown if Gille made any statements to authorities about why he targeted the victims. Police have stated that they have not yet determined a clear motive for the violent act.
Charges and Arrest
Gille was booked at the Grand Traverse County Jail and is awaiting arraignment. Authorities have charged him with terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. The attack has left the local community shaken, with many residents expressing disbelief that such an event occurred in their town.
The stabbing spree at Walmart has left 11 people injured, some severely, and has caused widespread panic in the local community. Gille’s motives remain unclear, but the quick actions of the armed citizens prevented further harm. As he awaits arraignment, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the shocking violence that unfolded in their local Walmart.
