TRAVERSE CITY, MI — A peaceful Saturday afternoon was shattered when chaos erupted at the Walmart Supercenter on Crossing Circle in Traverse City, where a violent stabbing spree left 11 people hospitalized, including five in serious condition and six in critical condition. Authorities have since identified the suspect in the mass stabbing as 42-year-old Bradford James Gilley, a resident of Afton, Michigan.
The incident began just before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, when frantic 911 calls flooded local dispatch, reporting a man armed with a knife attacking multiple people inside the busy retail store. Traverse City Police and emergency medical services rushed to the scene, where they were met with scenes of chaos, panic, and injured victims scattered throughout the store.
First responders immediately began administering aid to victims, while officers located and apprehended the suspect without further incident. Gilley was taken into custody at the scene and is now being held pending formal charges.
According to Munson Healthcare, the victims were transported to nearby medical facilities, including Munson Medical Center, with a significant number requiring emergency surgery. As of Sunday morning, five individuals remain in serious condition, and six others are in critical condition. The victims’ names and ages have not yet been publicly released.
Traverse City Police Chief Angela McCormick addressed the media late Saturday night, saying:
“This is a dark and devastating day for our community. The actions of one individual have caused immense pain and trauma to many innocent people who were simply out shopping on a Saturday afternoon. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as they fight to recover. We are working tirelessly to uncover why this happened.”
Authorities have not released a motive, but investigators are actively pursuing all leads. They are currently reviewing store surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and coordinating with state and federal agencies to build a clearer picture of the events leading up to the attack. Gilley, whose background includes prior mental health evaluations and minor criminal offenses, has no known connection to the victims or store staff, according to preliminary reports.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene of fear and confusion.
“He just came out of nowhere, swinging the knife at people — I saw blood, people screaming and running for their lives,” said one shopper who asked not to be identified. “It was like something out of a nightmare.”
The Walmart store was immediately evacuated and will remain closed until further notice. Company officials expressed their sorrow in a statement, offering condolences to the victims and confirming full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
The Traverse City Police Department urges anyone who witnessed the incident, captured video, or has relevant information to contact their tip line immediately.
A community vigil is expected to be organized in the coming days as Traverse City comes together to grieve, support the victims, and begin healing from one of the most violent incidents in recent local history.
As this investigation develops, updates will be provided through official law enforcement channels and local news outlets. The name Bradford James Gilley now stands at the center of a tragedy that has shaken an entire community.
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