Several passersby helped apprehend a knife-wielding suspect who stabbed 11 people at a Walmart in Michigan, video has revealed.
Footage circulating on social media showed several citizens in Traverse City confronting a 42-year old man outside the supermarket on Saturday during the attack. Among the people confronting the suspect included an armed citizen who could be seen pointing his gun at the man.
“Throw it away!” some of the passerby could be heard yelling, with others saying: “Put it down!” and “Get on the fucking ground.” One passerby could be seen pushing a shopping cart towards the suspect.
Moments later, law enforcement could be seen arriving on scene and arresting the man.
Speaking to Channel2Now, Walmart employee Tasha Nash said: “It was a guy with a knife – people were screaming and running in all directions … I saw someone stabbed in the eye.”
Related: At least 11 people stabbed at Walmart store in Michigan and man in custody, police say
Another shopper, Kathryn Ann Clark, told the outlet and her friend’s son and another shopper helped confront the suspect. “It was definitely a stabbing,” Clark said, adding: “There were no shots fired, just brave people stepping in.”
On Sunday at a press conference the suspect was identified by authorities as Bradford James Gille. Noelle Moeggenberg, the Grand Traverse county prosecutor, told reporters her office would seek a charge of terrorism against Gille, as well as 11 counts of assault with intent to murder.
She said the attack was “a very random act of violence” that “we believe, in some in some ways, [was] done to affect the entire community, to put fear in the entire community, and to change how maybe we operate on a daily basis … so that is why we’re looking at that terrorist charge”.
No motive has yet been ascribed to the attack.
Eleven victims were treated at the nearby Munson Medical Center. On Sunday, the hospital said that there were “encouraging signs of recovery” among the victims.
According to the hospital, seven people are in fair condition and four are in serious condition. There are no longer any patients from the attack who are in critical condition, the hospital added.
In a statement released on Sunday, the hospital said: “Our dedicated team of physicians, surgeons, nurses, clinicians, and support staff remain focused on providing a healing environment for all those affected by this tragic incident … Additionally, we are working on providing additional emotional support for our employees in light of this incident. We extend our continued support to the victims and their families during this very difficult time.”
Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, said that she was aware of the attack, writing on X: “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.”