It was supposed to be a regular Saturday afternoon in July. You know the vibe—families picking up groceries, people grabbing summer gear, just the usual weekend hum at the Walmart on Crossing Circle in Garfield Township. But at 4:43 p.m. on July 26, 2025, that normalcy shattered. Within minutes, eleven people were bleeding, a community was in shock, and a man named Bradford James Gille was pinned to the pavement in the parking lot.
Honestly, the details that have come out since the attack are heavy. We aren't just talking about a "random act of violence." We’re looking at a situation where mental health red flags were waving for decades, yet somehow, everything converged in a checkout line in Traverse City.
The Suspect: Who is Bradford James Gille?
The man at the center of this is 42-year-old Bradford James Gille. He’s a Michigan native, originally from Afton, with a history that stretches across Cheboygan, Emmet, and Presque Isle counties. If you look at his record, it’s not exactly short. We’re talking about a guy who had been on the radar of law enforcement since at least 2006.
Gille had a "rap sheet" that included:
- Domestic violence (2007)
- Assault and battery (2008)
- Drug violations and vandalism in Florida (2012-2014)
- Public intoxication (2015)
But it goes deeper than just a criminal record. According to court documents and interviews with his own family, Gille was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia all the way back in 1999. His brother told reporters that the system "failed every one of us," claiming the family had been trying to deal with his deteriorating mental state since 1997.
What Went Down at the Traverse City Walmart
Gille didn't just rush in and start swinging. He actually entered the store at 4:10 p.m. and hung around for over half an hour. Think about that—thirty minutes of just walking the aisles. A recent lawsuit filed by victim Aaron Boudot alleges that Gille was carrying a large green duffel backpack and had actually been kicked out of a nearby Burger King just minutes before for loitering.
When the clock hit 4:43 p.m., he pulled out a 3.5-inch folding knife. He started in the checkout area. It was chaotic. He stabbed eleven people in total, ranging in age from 29 to 84. Eight of those victims were elderly. One was a Walmart employee. He then moved through the vestibule and out into the parking lot.
The Bystanders Who Stepped Up
This is the part of the story that's kinda incredible. While people were fleeing, others ran toward the danger. Two Marine veterans, Derrick Perry and Matthew Kolakowski, are credited with ending the rampage. Perry reportedly held Gille at gunpoint (he was legally armed) while Kolakowski tackled him.
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When they had him down, Gille reportedly kept saying, "I don't care, I don't care." He was totally subdued by the time the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s deputies arrived—which, for the record, took only three minutes.
The Charges and the "Incompetent" Ruling
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg didn't hold back. Gille was slapped with 11 counts of assault with intent to murder and a single count of terrorism. Why terrorism? Because the attack wasn't just against individuals; it was meant to terrorize the entire community.
But here’s where the legal gears have ground to a halt. On August 22, 2025, a judge ruled that Bradford Gille was not competent to stand trial.
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This doesn't mean the case is over. It basically means he’s currently unable to understand the charges or help in his own defense. He’s been sent for mental health treatment with the goal of "restoring competency." If and when the doctors say he's fit, the criminal case will start back up.
Why This Case Still Matters
The Traverse City Walmart stabbing suspect isn't just a name in a headline; the case has sparked a massive conversation about security and mental health intervention. On December 2, 2025, the law firm Morgan & Morgan filed a lawsuit against Walmart on behalf of Aaron Boudot. The claim? That Walmart was negligent by not questioning a man who loitered for 30 minutes with a suspicious duffel bag, especially after he'd been kicked out of a neighboring business.
It raises a tough question: How do we balance public safety with the reality of mental health? Authorities in Petoskey actually had a court order to detain Gille the day of the stabbing, but they couldn't find him in time.
Actionable Insights for the Community
If you’re following this case or live in the Northern Michigan area, here are the practical takeaways:
- Situational Awareness is Real: The heroes in this story noticed something was wrong before the police even arrived. Trust your gut if someone's behavior seems "off" in a public space.
- Support the Survivors: While all victims were released from Munson Medical Center by August 6, the trauma—and the medical bills—remain. Local community funds often stay active for months following these events.
- Legal Updates: Because Gille was ruled incompetent, the criminal trial is paused. If you want to track the status, keep an eye on the Grand Traverse County 13th Circuit Court docket for "competency restoration" hearings.
- Corporate Accountability: The outcome of the civil lawsuit against Walmart may change how "loitering" and security protocols are handled in big-box stores across the country.
The story of the Traverse City Walmart stabbing suspect is a complex mix of systemic failure and individual bravery. It’s a reminder that even in a quiet lakeside city, the cracks in the mental health and legal systems can have devastating consequences.