By Dayo Ade Olusola | July 27, 2025
A horrifying stabbing spree at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, left 11 people injured Saturday evening — but a dramatic encounter caught on camera shows a courageous armed shopper stepping in to stop the attacker before police arrived.
The incident unfolded just before 5 p.m. inside the popular retail chain, located roughly 255 miles northwest of Detroit.
Authorities say a 42-year-old man, identified as Bradford James Gille, launched a frenzied knife attack, targeting shoppers at random and sending shockwaves through one of Michigan’s busiest summer tourist hubs.
Good Samaritan Confronts Knife-Wielding Attacker
Moments after the attack, cellphone footage surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) showing the immediate aftermath outs8ide the store. In the video, an unidentified man — believed to be a civilian shopper — is seen pointing a handgun at the suspect while ordering him to drop his weapon.
“Drop it! Throw the knife now. Throw it away!” the armed man is heard shouting in a firm voice, standing his ground just feet from the attacker.
He is backed by several other bystanders, including one pushing a Walmart shopping cart, as they collectively force the suspect away from the store’s entrance.
At one point, the camera briefly pans to the ground where one of the victims lies injured near the store’s doors. The footage ends as the bystanders surround the alleged attacker and instruct him to lay on the ground.
The video has since gone viral, with commenters hailing the armed civilian as a hero.
“Give this man the recognition his actions deserve. Good men who are armed save lives,” one person wrote in a post that’s since gained thousands of likes.
Terrorism and Attempted Murder Charges Filed
Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea confirmed Sunday that the suspect, Gille, has been charged with terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. Gille has a prior criminal record, including arrests for vandalism and drug-related offenses.
“His victims range in age from 29 to 85,” Sheriff Shea said at a press briefing. “Six of the victims are over the age of 60. Thankfully, all are expected to survive.”
Doctors at Munson Medical Center initially reported that six of the victims were in critical condition and five in serious condition. By Sunday evening, the hospital updated the public to say that seven were in fair condition and four remained in serious condition.
Witnesses Describe Chaos and Courage
Witnesses have begun to recount the terrifying moments inside the store. Angela Helfrich, who was shopping with her fiancé at the time of the attack, described the panic as customers rushed to escape and then pursued the attacker into the parking lot.
“It was just very panicky, very scary. I’ve never witnessed anything like that, and I’ve lived in Traverse City my whole life,” she told Click On Detroit. “I was way too close. That could have been me or my family, and I feel awful for all the victims and their families.”
According to officials, several customers chased the attacker out of the store, working together to subdue and restrain him until law enforcement arrived.
Community Reacts with Shock — and Gratitude
The incident has drawn national attention, with leaders expressing support for the victims and praise for those who intervened.
Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and a resident of Traverse City, said in a statement that he and his husband Chasten were “shaken by the awful and senseless violence” that took place at the local Walmart.
“Traverse City is a close-knit, peaceful place,” one local resident posted. “What happened here tonight doesn’t just scare us — it shatters our sense of safety.”
No Known Motive Yet
Authorities have not yet identified a clear motive for the attack, but emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Gille remains in custody and is expected to face arraignment early this week.
Investigators are also reviewing the viral video as part of their probe into the timeline and the actions of both the suspect and bystanders.
Praise for Civilian Intervention
Sheriff Shea confirmed that the armed shopper, who is not being named at this time, legally possessed his firearm and likely prevented further harm.
“His actions were brave and appear to have helped stop additional injuries. We are reviewing everything carefully, but it’s clear several people stepped up under extraordinary pressure,” the sheriff said.
Additional reporting by Click On Detroit and regional news outlets.
