TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two tragic events dominated the news cycle over the weekend. The first involved the mass stabbings at the Traverse City Walmart store on Saturday afternoon that left 11 people wounded and a mentally challenged suspect in custody.
The second incident occurred early Saturday morning in Cincinnati, Ohio when a mob of black people allegedly attacked a white couple at a jazz festival. Five suspects are facing charges. The couple was taken to the hospital and are recovering from their injuries.
A three-minute response time in Traverse City.
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Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea updated the community less than twenty-four hours after the attacks at the Walmart sent 11 people to the hospital. While that press conference provided updates on the suspect and pending charges, Sheriff Shea was quick to praise the community and his law enforcement colleagues.
Sheriff Shea said between the time the call came in at 4:43 p.m., citizens had detained the suspect in the parking lot until a deputy arrived three minutes later. One bystander pulled out his conceal carry pistol to get control of the suspect after another customer pushed his shopping cart into the back of the suspect’s leg.
“For all of those people that were involved, first of all I commend them,” Shea said at Sunday’s press conference. “It’s not very often that we have citizens that are willing step up and take action. I ask that we grant them the privacy that they need right now. Give them a little space and say ‘atta boy.’”
In addition, Sheriff Shea said even though he is happy about law enforcement’s response on Saturday, there is always room for improvement and future trainings.
Cincinnati Police Chief: People record on phones, one person calls 911.
Meanwhile in Cincinnati, Police Chief Terri Theetge appeared agitated when she addressed the press after the attacks. She said an upwards of 150,000 descended on the city on Friday for a Big 3 basketball tournament, a Cincinnati Reds game, and the Cincinnati Music Festival.
“Unfortunately we had one incident late Friday night into Saturday morning that is getting all the attention and undoing the good stuff that happened this weekend.”
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Chief Theetge did extend thanks to the citizens who provided information. “However, for us to have 100 or so people down there involved in and/or watching this event, recording with their cell phones, and for us to get only one phone call of this incident is unacceptable in this city.”
She also laid into the local media. “That social media post, and your coverage of it, distorts the content of what actually happened and makes our job more difficult.”
The Traverse City aftermath.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Bradford Gille has been arraigned on 11 charges of assault with intent to murder and a charge of terrorism. His family has spoken out about the mental health help they’ve tried to get him for decades.
Gille will be back in court on Aug. 6.
As of Wednesday, Munson Medical said three patients have been treated and released while two others have been treated and transferred. Five patients are in good condition and one is in fair condition.
