Traverse City Walmart Stabbing Suspect Identified as 42-Year-Old Bradford James Gille
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Authorities have identified the suspect in Saturday’s mass stabbing at the Walmart Supercenter in Traverse City as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille, a resident of Afton, Michigan.
Bradford has been formally charged with terrorism, according to officials.
The violent incident left 11 individuals hospitalized, with five in serious condition and six in critical condition, according to Munson Healthcare officials.
The attack unfolded just before 5:00 p.m. when law enforcement and emergency responders were dispatched to the Walmart located at Crossing Circle following multiple 911 calls reporting an active stabbing inside the store.
According to witnesses and initial reports, the suspect began attacking random shoppers across multiple departments within the store, leaving victims with stab wounds in various parts of the building.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Authorities have identified the suspect in Saturday’s mass stabbing at the Walmart Supercenter in Traverse City as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille, a resident of Afton, Michigan.
Bradford has been formally charged with terrorism, according to officials.
The violent incident left 11 individuals hospitalized, with five in serious condition and six in critical condition, according to Munson Healthcare officials.
The attack unfolded just before 5:00 p.m. when law enforcement and emergency responders were dispatched to the Walmart located at Crossing Circle following multiple 911 calls reporting an active stabbing inside the store.
According to witnesses and initial reports, the suspect began attacking random shoppers across multiple departments within the store, leaving victims with stab wounds in various parts of the building.
Advertisement
Some victims were in cardiac arrest when first responders arrived, and tourniquets were applied at the scene to control severe bleeding.
In a brief advisory, Grand Traverse 911 urged the public to avoid the area, stating:
“Please avoid the area of Walmart or other businesses at Crossing Circle. First responders are on scene. There is no danger to the public at this time.”
The suspect’s rampage was brought to an end not by law enforcement, but by the bravery of ordinary citizens—including Derrick Perry, who drew his legally carried firearm and confronted the attacker as he attempted to flee into the parking lot. Perry, along with Matthew K., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Kent City, Michigan, took swift and decisive action.
Matthew, who was visiting Traverse City with his family on vacation, had just exited the store when he heard a store employee yell, “There’s a man with a knife!!” Seeing that two people, including an elderly woman, had already been attacked, Matthew secured his daughter and went into what he later described as “Marine Mode.” Using a shopping cart, he struck the assailant directly in the Achilles tendon, causing him to collapse.
Another unidentified Marine veteran assisted by drawing his weapon and holding the suspect at gunpoint until the assailant dropped his knife. Several bystanders then tackled the suspect and held him until police arrived moments later.
“The attacker was on his way out, and they stopped him cold,” said witness Kathryn Ann Clark, whose friend’s son was one of those involved in subduing the suspect.
Witness Accounts Describe Chaos
Multiple employees and shoppers described scenes of panic, screaming, and people running in all directions.
“There were victims in every department,” said one Walmart employee. “Some were in cardiac arrest right after the incident.”
Tasha Nash, who was working inside the store at the time, recalled:
“The whole store started screaming and running. There was a guy with a knife—he stabbed six people. I saw one man stabbed in the eye.”
Amber Paull added that the attacker appeared to randomly target people in the produce and grocery sections, and that among the injured were an elderly woman and a young child.
One family friend of a victim stated that their loved one suffered a slash to the throat but is expected to recover.
At this time, authorities believe the attack was random and unprovoked. The Traverse City Police Department is continuing its investigation and has not yet announced formal charges against Gilley, who remains in custody.
The community is rallying around the victims, and prayers have been requested for all those impacted by the traumatic events. The quick, courageous actions of civilians—especially veterans—are being credited with preventing further tragedy.
Authorities ask that anyone with video footage or additional information contact Traverse City Police as the investigation continues.
