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Walmart stabbing suspect arraigned in Traverse City district court

Jennifer Chambers and Kara Berg, The Detroit News on

Published in News & Features

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A Cheboygan man accused of randomly stabbing 11 people at a Walmart outside Traverse City over the weekend was arraigned Monday afternoon on multiple charges, but not before he told a magistrate he didn't want to be in the courtroom or talk to court officials.

Bradford Gille, 42, was arraigned on one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder. Each charge carries a possible life sentence. He's being held at the Grand Traverse County jail.

When Gille, wearing a bright blue jail uniform, appeared at the Zoom arraignment, he asked the deputy with him, “Do I have to do this?” The deputy explained what would happen and who was in the courtroom.

“I don’t want to," Gille said.

Magistrate Tammi Rodgers asked Gille how to pronounce his last name, and he said, “Yeah, I don’t want to talk to you.”

Gille, who entered a not guilty plea, seemed disoriented during the arraignment, at one point discussing psychotropic drugs before his attorney asked him to stop speaking, telling him his words could be used against him.

When asked if he had an address during the arraignment Monday, he said he "didn't really have one."

Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle R. Moeggenberg sought a high bond for Gille, describing the severity of the charges against him.

"Clearly, this is one of the most serious crimes that someone can commit in the state of Michigan," she said.

Magistrate Tammi Rodgers of 86th District Court set Gille's bond at $100,000. She also set several conditions for him, including barring him from returning to any Walmart.

"It certainly is one of the most heinous accusations from an individual that has been before this court in 30 years," she said.

Gille has had a long history of mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia, before he allegedly stabbed people near the checkout area at a Walmart in Garfield Township. A court order was issued Friday for authorities to detain him, but they couldn't find him. The order was based on a petition filed by the Petoskey Department of Public Safety.

The Walmart store remained closed Monday.

 

The victims, meanwhile, continue to recover. As of Monday morning, one victim remained in serious condition while five patients were listed in fair condition. Two patients were listed in good condition and two patients have been treated and transferred to another facility, said a Munson Medical Center spokeswoman. One patient has been treated and released.

"We are deeply grateful to the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, surgeons, clinical staff, and support personnel at Munson Healthcare," said Munson in a statement Monday morning. "Their unwavering commitment to the care and recovery of those affected reflects the strength and unity of our healthcare community during this difficult time."

Linda Peters was walking her two small dogs in front of the closed Walmart on Monday morning when a UPS truck pulled up and parked, sending her pets into a frenzy of excitement.

Out popped the UPS driver who bent down on one knee and handed treats to Chloe, a multipoo and Penny, a Shih Tzu mix, outside the Garfield Township store.

"That's what kind of a community this is," Peters said as her little dogs climbed all over the driver, who declined to give his name, but is a regular visitor with Peters on her morning walks.

"(The attack) it's a random thing, and it was extremely unfortunate. I was just horrified to hear what humans do to each other," Peters said. "... I talked to a couple of the Walmart people, and they were shaken up, but I got the sense that the customers came together, and which I thought was a really cool thing. I thought how brave of them, considering what they were up against."

The Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority on Monday also began offering free community support services for those in need after the stabbings. Services will be offered through Wednesday at the Northwest Michigan College Innovation Center, located at 1701 E. Front Street in Traverse City.

The authority also expanded staffing of the Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center, now open around the clock, with certified peer support staff.

Peters, who lives in the Traverse City area and winters in Florida, says reports about bystanders stepping in on Saturday to stop the assailant are exactly what this community is made of.

"Whoever it was, they deserve a heck of a lot of credit for stepping in," Peters said as repairmen and security were combing the parking lot outside the store Monday morning.

A probable cause conference is planned for Aug. 6 for Gille in Traverse City's 86th District Court.

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©2025 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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