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Suspect pleads not guilty in Traverse City Walmart attack, more details emerge

Bradford James Gille, 42, appears on video for an arraignment in 86th District Court on charges he attacked 11 people with a knife at Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Image from 86th District Court, via YouTube)
Bradford James Gille, 42, appears on video for an arraignment in 86th District Court on charges he attacked 11 people with a knife at Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Image from 86th District Court, via YouTube)

The suspect in the stabbing attack that injured 11 people at Traverse City's Walmart made his first court appearance Monday.

42-year-old Bradford James Gille was arraigned at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, pleading not guilty to 11 counts of assault with intent to commit murder and a charge of terrorism.

"It certainly is one of the most heinous accusations from an individual that's been before this court in 30-some years," said 86th District Court Magistrate Tammi Rodgers, during the arraignment.

The victims According to Munson Hospital as of Monday morning, one has been treated and released from Munson Medical Center. Two have been treated and transferred, and one remains in serious condition. The others are in fair or good condition. Read our prior coverage of this weekend's attack.

During the arraignment, Gille spoke out of turn a handful of times, including when asked by the court about his address.

"I saw a black-and-white video on the internet about psychotropic drugs being —" Gille began, before being interrupted by defense attorney Janet Mistele.

"Mr. Gille, please don't talk about that because it can be used against you," she cautioned him.

Later, Gille began speaking about cigarettes and toxins, prompting Magistrate Rodgers to mute his Zoom channel before setting bond at $100,000.

Before the attack

On Monday, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office announced it had been looking for Gille for about 24 hours before the attack.

They said they received a court order to take him into custody Friday afternoon.

"In response to the court order, Deputies of the Emmet County Sheriff's Office spent Friday evening patrolling and actively searching for Bradford James Gille," the department explained in a press release.

"Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful. Saturday, July 26, saw the continuation of these efforts as the order was transferred to the on-coming shift for service. Deputies once again searched for Gille during their patrols."

The order had identified Gille as homeless with no known physical address in Emmet County. They did not specify what had prompted the order.

Gille is next set to appear in court on Aug. 12.
Copyright 2025 Interlochen Public Radio

Claire Keenan-Kurgan