Crime
Traverse City Walmart Stabbing Suspect Identified as 42-Year-Old Bradford James Gille
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Authorities have identified the suspect in Saturday’s mass stabbing at the Walmart Supercenter in Traverse City as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille, a resident of Afton, Michigan.
Bradford has been formally charged with terrorism, according to officials.
The violent incident left 11 individuals hospitalized, with five in serious condition and six in critical condition, according to Munson Healthcare officials.
The attack unfolded just before 5:00 p.m. when law enforcement and emergency responders were dispatched to the Walmart located at Crossing Circle following multiple 911 calls reporting an active stabbing inside the store.
According to witnesses and initial reports, the suspect began attacking random shoppers across multiple departments within the store, leaving victims with stab wounds in various parts of the building.
Some victims were in cardiac arrest when first responders arrived, and tourniquets were applied at the scene to control severe bleeding.
In a brief advisory, Grand Traverse 911 urged the public to avoid the area, stating:
“Please avoid the area of Walmart or other businesses at Crossing Circle. First responders are on scene. There is no danger to the public at this time.”
The suspect’s rampage was brought to an end not by law enforcement, but by the bravery of ordinary citizens—including Derrick Perry, who drew his legally carried firearm and confronted the attacker as he attempted to flee into the parking lot. Perry, along with Matthew K., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Kent City, Michigan, took swift and decisive action.
Matthew, who was visiting Traverse City with his family on vacation, had just exited the store when he heard a store employee yell, “There’s a man with a knife!!” Seeing that two people, including an elderly woman, had already been attacked, Matthew secured his daughter and went into what he later described as “Marine Mode.” Using a shopping cart, he struck the assailant directly in the Achilles tendon, causing him to collapse.
Another unidentified Marine veteran assisted by drawing his weapon and holding the suspect at gunpoint until the assailant dropped his knife. Several bystanders then tackled the suspect and held him until police arrived moments later.
“The attacker was on his way out, and they stopped him cold,” said witness Kathryn Ann Clark, whose friend’s son was one of those involved in subduing the suspect.
Multiple employees and shoppers described scenes of panic, screaming, and people running in all directions.
“There were victims in every department,” said one Walmart employee. “Some were in cardiac arrest right after the incident.”
Tasha Nash, who was working inside the store at the time, recalled:
“The whole store started screaming and running. There was a guy with a knife—he stabbed six people. I saw one man stabbed in the eye.”
Amber Paull added that the attacker appeared to randomly target people in the produce and grocery sections, and that among the injured were an elderly woman and a young child.
One family friend of a victim stated that their loved one suffered a slash to the throat but is expected to recover.
At this time, authorities believe the attack was random and unprovoked. The Traverse City Police Department is continuing its investigation and has not yet announced formal charges against Gilley, who remains in custody.
The community is rallying around the victims, and prayers have been requested for all those impacted by the traumatic events. The quick, courageous actions of civilians—especially veterans—are being credited with preventing further tragedy.
Authorities ask that anyone with video footage or additional information contact Traverse City Police as the investigation continues.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.