TRAVERSE CITY, Mich
A mass stabbing inside a Walmart store in Traverse City, Michigan, left 11 people injured on Saturday afternoon in what authorities are calling a random and unprovoked attack. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Derrick Perry, is currently in custody.
The stabbing began around 3:15 p.m. at the Walmart located on U.S. Highway 31 South. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as the attacker moved through multiple aisles, stabbing customers without warning. Victims include both adults and children, with several hospitalized in critical condition.
“This was a senseless and violent act,” said Grand Traverse County Sheriff Nathan Alger during a Sunday morning press conference. “Our community is in shock.”
Suspect Identified and Detained
Before police arrived, Perry, a local resident, was reportedly restrained by Walmart staff and witnesses. Without incident, he was taken into custody at the spot. Law enforcement confirmed that he acted alone and used a fixed-blade knife. No firearms were involved.
Investigators have not yet established a clear motive, and officials said the attack does not appear to be connected to terrorism or organized crime. The BBC reports Perry has a prior criminal history, though details have not been made public.
Walmart issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and promising full cooperation with investigators. “We are heartbroken by the violence that occurred at our Traverse City location. Our thoughts are with the injured and their families,” the company said.
Victims Showing Signs of Recovery
Munson Medical Center, which treated most of the wounded, stated that patients are “showing encouraging signs,” according to a hospital spokesperson quoted by Fox News. Victims range in age from young children to seniors.
Local residents have expressed deep concern and sorrow over the stabbing at Walmart Traverse City. “This is a peaceful town — to have something like this happen at our local Walmart is devastating,” said Jennifer Collins, a longtime Traverse City resident.
Community and Law Enforcement Respond
The mass stabbing at Walmart Traverse City MI has left the small northern Michigan city shaken. Known for its tourism and family-friendly environment, Traverse City has rarely seen violence on this scale.
Mental health counselors have been deployed to assist victims, witnesses, and Walmart employees. Law enforcement officials, including the FBI and Michigan State Police, are continuing their investigation and reviewing security footage from inside the store.
Authorities are asking witnesses to come forward with any information or footage that may aid the investigation. The Traverse City Walmart stabbing suspect is expected to face multiple felony charges and will likely be arraigned early next week.
This incident adds to growing national concerns about public safety in large retail environments. The mass stabbing in Traverse City is among the most serious such incidents in Michigan in recent years.
