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Multiple people stabbed at Michigan Walmart, police say At least 11 people stabbed at Walmart store in Michigan and man in custody, police say
(about 4 hours later)
State authorities say suspect in custody and investigation under way into stabbing at Traverse City store Hospital says six people in a critical condition after stabbing at Traverse City store
Authorities in Michigan are investigating after multiple people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, police said on Saturday. At least 11 people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, with six people in a critical condition, Michigan authorities said.
The Michigan state police said in a social media post that a suspect is in custody and the local sheriff’s office is investigating the incident. The agency asked that people avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing. About 4.45pm on Saturday, a 42-year-old man allegedly entered the store and used a folding knife to stab 11 people, the Grand Traverse county sheriff’s office said, adding that it appeared to have been a random act of violence.
A Walmart corporate spokesperson, Joe Pennington, said by email that the company was “working with police and defer questions to them right now”. A sheriff’s deputy arrived within minutes and took the man into custody. People in the store helped apprehend the suspect and treat victims, the sheriff’s office said.
Lt Michelle Robinson, the public information officer for the Michigan state police’s sixth district, confirmed to the Detroit News that a person was taken into police custody but could not give details on the number of people stabbed. Emergency vehicles and uniformed first responders gathered in the parking lot of the shopping centre, which houses several other retail stores.
Munson Healthcare, a medical center in Traverse City, posted on social media saying 11 people were being treated at that hospital. The hospital requested patience and understanding from the public as “our emergency department is currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients”. Authorities also were seen interviewing employees, still wearing blue uniform vests and name tags, as the response gave way to an investigation.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this event, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement for their swift action,” the post read. Tiffany DeFell, 36, who lives in Honor, about 25 miles (40km) from Traverse City, said she was in the store’s parking lot when she saw chaos erupt around her.
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer posted on social media that she was aware of the incident and in touch with law enforcement. She wrote: “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.” “It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said.
Traverse City is about 255 miles (410km) north-west of Detroit. Munson Healthcare said via social media that 11 people were being treated at the region’s largest hospital in northern Michigan. A spokesperson said six people were critical and five were in serious condition late on Saturday.
The hospital requested patience and understanding from the public as “our emergency department is currently experiencing a higher than usual volume of patients”.
Shea said the weapon involved appeared to be a folding knife. The suspect in custody was believed to be a Michigan resident.
The Michigan governor, Gretchen Whitmer, posted on social media that she was aware of the incident and in touch with law enforcement.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence,” she said. “I am grateful to the first responders for their swift response to apprehend the suspect.”
Walmart said it would continue to work closely with law enforcement in the investigation. “Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.
Traverse City is about 255 miles (410km) north-west of Detroit and is a popular holiday spot on the coast of Lake Michigan.