11 people stabbed in US Walmart store in ‘random’ attack

At least 11 people have been injured at a Walmart in the US after a man entered the store and allegedly used a “folding knife” to stab people.

At least 11 people have been injured at a Walmart in the US after a man entered the store and allegedly used a “folding knife” to stab people in what police said appeared to be a “random” attack.

The incident occurred at a Walmart in Traverse City, 410 kilometres from Detroit, in Michigan about 4.45pm Saturday (US time), with the attack initially starting near the checkout area of the store, police said.

A 42-year-old Michigan man has been taken into custody.

“Based on the information that we have at this time, it appears they were random acts,” Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said at a press conference.

“The victims were not predetermined,” Sheriff Shea said, adding that the suspect apparently acted alone and used a “folding knife”.

He said citizens in the Walmart “assisted” in apprehending the suspect.

“Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”

He added violence is “very uncommon for our area”.

The attack occurred at a store in Traverse City on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle/AP

At least 11 people were stabbed in the attack. Picture: Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle/AP

Six victims were in critical condition late on Saturday, and five were in serious condition, Munson Healthcare said in a statement.

At least three of the victims were undergoing surgery, according to Shea. The victims included six men and five women.

‘Blood everywhere’

Eyewitness Julia Martell told The New York Times she heard screaming and saw a man with a knife running through the store’s pharmacy section.

Ms Martell said she saw the man shoving and stabbing people as he moved through the store.

The 30-year-old witness described seeing three people with stab wounds and “blood everywhere.”

Michigan State Police officers talk to employees near the scene. Picture: Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle/AP

Police said the violence was ‘very uncommon’ for the area. Picture: Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle/AP

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was in touch with law enforcement regarding the “horrible news.”

“Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence,” Ms Whitmer said in an X post.

Walmart condemned the “unacceptable” act of violence in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” it said.

Traverse City is a popular tourist destination located on the shore of Lake Michigan.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said agents were providing “any necessary support to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation of the attacks at the Walmart.”

Originally published as 11 people stabbed in US Walmart store in ‘random’ attack