Michigan authorities announced on Sunday that they plan to pursue terrorism charges, along with 11 counts of assault with intent to murder, against 42-year-old Bradford James Gille of Afton, Michigan. Gille is accused of carrying out a violent stabbing attack inside a Walmart store on Saturday afternoon. According to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea, Gille used a folding knife with a 3.5-inch blade to stab a total of 11 people—five men and six women—whose ages ranged from 21 to 84. One of the victims was a Walmart employee. Law enforcement received reports of the attack at around 4:43 p.m., and a deputy arrived on the scene within two minutes. Upon arrival, citizens, including an armed individual, had already confronted Gille in the parking lot, preventing him from fleeing or causing more harm. The deputy was able to take him into custody without further incident.
Gille is currently being held at the Grand Traverse County Jail and is expected to be formally charged and arraigned on Monday or Tuesday. Authorities, with the help of the FBI, are still working to determine the motive behind the attack. Sheriff Shea noted that Gille may have previously lived in the county and is somewhat familiar with the area. Meanwhile, officials from Munson Healthcare provided an update on the victims’ conditions on Sunday, stating that two remain in serious condition, eight are in fair condition, and one has been released from the hospital. Medical officials emphasized that all of the victims are expected to survive and reported encouraging signs of recovery in the last 12 hours. The healthcare provider also announced they are offering emotional support resources to Walmart employees and others affected by this violent incident.