11 Injured in Mass Stabbing at Michigan Walmart; Suspect in Custody

New York – At least 11 people were injured in a mass stabbing incident at a Walmart store in Traverse City, located in northern Michigan, USA.

The attack occurred around 4:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, when a 42-year-old man entered the store and began stabbing people with a folding knife, Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.

The suspect has been taken into custody, and authorities believe the attack was random in nature.

According to a statement from Munson Healthcare, three victims were undergoing surgery at Munson Medical Center as of Saturday evening. Five individuals were reported to be in serious condition, while six others were in critical condition.

Residents have been urged to avoid the area while investigations continue, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.

Earlier, the Michigan State Police confirmed the suspect had been apprehended. Sheriff Shea noted that the suspect is believed to be a Michigan resident but did not provide further details.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her concern, stating: "Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence."

Walmart released a statement condemning the incident: "Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we're thankful for the swift action of first responders. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement during the investigation."

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also confirmed via social media that federal agents were on the ground to provide any necessary support.

With inputs from IANS