Suspect in Michigan Walmart Stabbings Is Charged With a Rarely Used State Terrorism Count
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg said she believes the charge fits because the weekend attack was intended to 'put fear in the entire community and to change how maybe we operate on a daily basis.'
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Boston Globe
4 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Old Orchard Beach police say DHS ‘shifting blame' to them in ICE arrest of summer officer from Jamaica
Chard said her department completed a thorough background check on Jon Luke Evans, a Jamaican citizen, who was hired as a summer reserve officer in May, and submitted his I-9 forms to the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program. Chard said DHS reported Evans' status on May 12 as 'Alien Authorized to Work' and validated his Customs and Immigration Form I-766, showing he could hold legal employment through March 19, 2030. But federal officials said Evans overstayed his visa by nearly two years, and Advertisement In a lengthy statement Wednesday detailing the town's hiring process for Evans, Old Orchard Beach officials said Evans would not have been permitted to begin work without DHS verifying his status. 'Simply stated, had the federal government flagged his information the Town would not have hired Mr. Evans,' Chard said in the statement. 'Any insinuation that the Town and Department were derelict in our efforts to verify Mr. Evans' eligibility to work for the Town is false.' Advertisement Earlier Wednesday, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, said in a statement that the police department's 'reckless reliance on E-Verify to justify arming an illegal alien, Jon Luke Evans violates federal law, and does not absolve them of their failure to conduct basic background checks to verify legal status.' Old Orchard Beach officials, however, said the federal government has 'aggressively pushed all employers – government and private – to rely on E-Verify in the hiring process." Town manager Diana Asanza said the Department of Homeland Security 'has thrown its own electronic verification system into question' by accusing the town of hiring an unauthorized worker. 'If we should not trust the word of the federal computer system that verifies documents and employment eligibility, what good is that system?' Asanza said in the statement. Town officials said they compiled a 153-page personnel file on Evans that included his background check documents, driving records, copies of identification cards, education records, references, and medical records. Community Service Officers from the Old Orchard Beach Police Dept. patrol on bicycles on Tuesday in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press 'The Old Orchard Beach Police Department thoroughly checked Mr. Evans' background and verified that all information and documentation he provided was accurate,' Chard said. 'The depth of his personnel file shows the diligence the Town takes in hiring.' In addition to his I-9 federal immigration and work authorization form and a resume, Chard said Evans also provided his Jamaican birth certificate, Massachusetts drivers' license, Jamaican passport, U.S. Social Security card, U.S Work Authorization card, and proof of college credit. Town officials said they also checked Maine's criminal history database and the Interstate Identification Index, a database of state and federal criminal histories that is maintained by the FBI and National Crime Information Center, as part of their background check on Evans, according to the town's statement. Advertisement Evans also passed a physical fitness test, a drug test, a health exam, and completed the Maine Criminal Justice Academy ALERT test, 'which ensures candidates have the comprehension and writing skills needed to succeed in law enforcement,' Old Orchard Beach officials said. Maine is one of about a dozen states that allows non-citizen residents to work in law enforcement, according to the police department. Evans legally arrived in the US via Miami International Airport on Sept. 24, 2023, but failed to board his return flight to Jamaica a week later on Oct. 1, 2023, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a statement Monday. His attempt to buy a gun triggered an alert to agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who worked in coordination with ICE to make the arrest, the statement said. In an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Chard said Evans was a trusted member of the force who had the respect of his peers. She said his arrest has been dispiriting for their department, which relies on seasonal help during the busy summer months. She said Evans has a wife who continues to live locally. 'I'm hoping that this can be resolved and there will be a finding of no wrongdoing on anybody's part and he can go on with his life the way he intended,' Chard said. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Nick Stoico can be reached at
New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
Armed hero who confronted ‘wild-eyed' Walmart stabbing suspect describes how he ‘de-escalated the situation' without firing gun
An armed hero who confronted the 'wild-eyed' suspect of a mass stabbing at Walmart kept his cool despite bystanders urging him to open fire — declaring in a new interview he's no 'judge, jury or executioner.' Marine veteran Derrick Perry, in a Tuesday appearance on ABC's 'Good Morning America,' described the chaos that enveloped the Traverse City superstore Saturday when 11 people were allegedly knifed by Bradford James Gille. 'A lady was screaming for her son and all the employees and patrons were clamoring, trying to run in different directions,' Perry recalled. 8 Marine veteran Derrick Perry confronted the mass shooting suspect at a Walmart in Traverse City, Mich. on July 26, 2025. X/ImMeme0 8 Perry held suspect Bradford James Gille at Gunpoint in the parking lot. X/paige29863 When Gille fled out to the parking lot, Perry, along with others, dropped his groceries and surrounded the alleged attacker. Perry, a hospital worker, pulled out his gun, but did not shoot Gille — even though he said others were calling on him to pull the trigger. 'Unfortunately, there was kinda like a mob mentality and some very disturbing things were being said on how to deal with the situation,' Perry said. 'I had to block all of that out and focus on him [Gille] because … I ultimately just wanted him to put the knife down and back away until law enforcement got there,' he went on. 8 Gille allegedly stabbed 11 people in the Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan. 8 The knife Gille allegedly used in the attack. Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office via AP 'I did not see myself as any type of judge, jury or executioner. I just wanted everyone to be safe.' Gille was rambling and appeared out of his mind, Perry recalled. 'I could see it in his eyes that he was wild-eyed and he did not look like he was in his right mind,' he said. 'And he was saying, 'They told me to do it. They told me to do it. And call 911.' 'I said they are on their way. They are coming,' said Perry, who described how he worked to de-escalate the situation. 8 Perry ignored calls from bystanders to shoot Gille before police arrived. Chris O'Brien via Storyful 8 A victim of the stabbing spree seen in the parking lot of the Michigan Walmart. Chris O'Brien via Storyful 'I took time to actually look and listen and try to understand his mind state, and see that, yes, I am in a position to do something very rash, but it's ultimately my decision to not do it as well,' he said. 'De-escalate the situation, try to get him to surrender on his own accord.' Despite his brave actions, which ensured that Gille was taken into custody without incident and with no further injuries, Perry doesn't consider himself a hero. 8 Gille getting arrested by a law enforcement officer. Channel2 NOW 8 First responders outside of the Walmart after the shooting in Michigan. Jan-Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle via AP 'The only thing that separated me from the other gentlemen that had stepped in as well was what I was carrying in my hands,' he said. 'I think I would have ran out there or walked out there and helped either way. It was just a moment of, 'I got a duty to protect.'' Gille was arrested and arraigned on one count of felony terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder in Grand Traverse County District Court on Monday. He is due in court again on Aug. 6.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
Nightmare shooting on Park Avenue: Letters to the Editor — July 31, 2025
The Issue: A mass shooter at 345 Park Avenue who killed four people, including an NYPD officer and exec. Those shot dead in New York City were just five of the more than 200 Americans who take a bullet every day, 100 fatally ('Terror on Park Ave.,' July 30). Is there any state or federal legislative body with a GOP majority willing to pass safe gun legislation? The right to bear arms? How about right to keep your arms and all other body parts attached? Michael Baron Corrales, NM The tactics used by the deranged individual at 345 Park Ave. made it very difficult for anyone to prevent him from wreaking havoc and killing four people before turning the gun on himself. Officer Didarul Islam stood no chance against this lunatic, who launched his attack armed with a very deadly assault rifle. Scenes from this tragedy show officers putting their lives on the line and rushing into the building to mitigate the situation. The rapid and heroic response by the NYPD certainly factored into the shooter's decision to take his own life before he could kill more innocents. God bless Officer Islam and the three civilians who lost their lives to this maniac, and God bless the NYPD. Thomas Urban Wantagh I'm tired of seeing the photo of the shooter in the media. This man showed up and took the lives of four innocent people, including a hero police officer who was working another job to support his family. Every day, I turn open the paper and again see the story of this evil person. Stop making these people look like heroes and highlighting them in the media. I know it sells, but think about the family and friends of the victims seeing this man's face in every newspaper. These families need to be highlighted more than the person who caused this tragedy. Realize that other deranged people could see this as a way to get attention for themselves. John Wilde Massapequa Park I'm so disappointed in my congressional representative, Dan Goldman. In the wake of this terrible shooting, he's blaming the Republicans. All this guy does is blame the other party for all the problems of the world and hasn't done one constructive thing for New York City. Grow up, Rep. Goldman, and be a person who helps, not hurts, this city. Daniel Ricciardi Brooklyn Heights We are again faced with three horrific mass casualty incidents. The first saw 11 innocent shoppers stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan. In the second, in Reno, Nevada, three victims were killed at a casino. And in the third and most deadly, four were killed in Manhattan, including an NYPD officer. This brings us to the question: Are we properly informed and protected inside any public building where staff members are trained to respond to extreme emergencies? OSHA requires an Emergency Action Plan for all public-occupied businesses, including retail stores, medical offices and fast-food restaurants. They are required to have trained staff members help visitors safely exit their premises or assist in their medical needs. My suggestion is to have all businesses inform their guests of all the public safety measures that they provide. Prioritize safety now, for the benefit of all. Bob Sweeney Warwick, RI This latest mass shooting targeting the NFL headquarters was simply tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their grieving loved ones. Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Too many innocent lives were cut short and destroyed from one senseless shooting. To see the rippling effects of such a tragedy, we need look no farther than the father of NYPD officer and security guard, Didarul Islam, who suffered a stroke after learning that his son had perished. My fear is that it is impossible to stop these mass shootings, which can happen anywhere. And all the media attention will probably help to inspire others. JoAnn Lee Frank Clearwater, Fla. Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
