11 injured after mass stabbing at Michigan Walmart

Authorities in Michigan are crediting a group of courageous bystanders with helping subdue a man accused of stabbing 11 people at random inside a Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday.

(CNN)- Authorities in Michigan are crediting a group of courageous bystanders—one of them reportedly armed—with helping subdue a man accused of stabbing 11 people at random inside a Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday.

Dramatic video shows the tense moments as good Samaritans confronted the lone attacker, moments before a sheriff’s deputy arrived to take the suspect into custody. The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille. According to Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea, Gille used a folding knife with a 3.5-inch blade to carry out the attack. He now faces 11 counts of assault with intent to murder and one count of terrorism—charges that could result in a life sentence if convicted.

Authorities say Gille’s motive remains unclear. He reportedly offered few words when taken into custody, telling deputies something to the effect of “Are you 911?”

“He was able to answer questions quite clearly,” said Sheriff Shea. “I believe he was aware of what he was doing.”

Officials are still trying to determine why Gille—who has a prior history of assault—was in Traverse City, which is nearly two hours from where he lives. The victims of the attack range in age from 29 to 84. According to the local hospital, one person has been released, two remain in serious condition, and the rest are in fair condition. Sheriff Shea praised the civilians who intervened to stop the stabbing spree.

“In today’s world, you can’t get someone to stop and help change a spare tire, let alone put themselves in harm’s way to stop someone who just brutally assaulted people,” Shea said. “Unbelievable. My hat goes off to each and every one of them.”