A 42-year-old man has been arrested after “randomly” stabbing people at a Walmart in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Eleven people were injured on Saturday afternoon when the suspect attacked shoppers with a folding knife-style weapon near the store’s checkout area around 4:43 pm, according to authorities. The man is believed to have acted alone. He was subdued within a minute by a Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s deputy, with the help of bystanders. No officers or bystanders were injured during the arrest.

Michigan Walmart stabbing: Who is the suspect?

In the wake of the attack, a far-right commentator and Trump ally, Laura Loomer, has posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The man who just stabbed nearly a dozen innocent people inside a Walmart in Michigan is being described by witnesses as ‘a foreign guy’. Sadly, Michigan has been destroyed by Islamic invaders who have ruined the majority of European cities…It’s highly likely that the man… is an Islamic immigrant.’’

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Lommer’s unverified claims have raised concern online. However, authorities have not confirmed any details related to the suspect’s religion, nationality, or immigration status.

Image of the suspect has surfaced on social media

An image shared by the Right Angle News Network appears to show the suspect being taken into a police car shortly after the stabbing incident. While the official has not released the video of the suspect yet, it has been circulated widely on social media.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has criticised the incident, terming it “a brutal act of violence,’’ and has extended gratitude to the first responders. Meanwhile, the FBI has also joined the probe to support local authorities, although officials have assured that there is no ongoing threat to the public, as reported by the Associated Press.

Witness accounts, including a viral Facebook comment by a user named Amber Paul, claimed a “foreign guy” attacked people in the grocery section and that an onlooker tried to intervene with a gun. Her unverified post stated that an elderly woman and a child were among the victims.

Six victims are in serious condition, and investigations are underway

All victims were sent to the Munson Medical Centre, of which six are reported in serious condition, according to Megan Brown, Chief Communications Officer for Munson Healthcare, as reported by People.com.

Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said that the investigators are still probing the reason.