28-07-2025
Emmet County Sheriff's Office was searching for suspect before Traverse City stabbings
PETOSKEY — Emmet County Sheriff's Office deputies were searching for Bradford James Gille over the weekend, but the 42-year-old was not located before he carried out a mass stabbing at a Walmart in Traverse City.
According to a statement from Emmet County Sheriff Matt Leirstein, a court order was received around 5 p.m. on Friday, July 25 from the 7th Probate Court of Emmet County. The order instructed deputies to detain Gille, a homeless man with no known address in Emmet County.
In a press conference on Sunday, July 27, Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said Gille was from Afton in Cheboygan County. Gille's last known location was reportedly the North Country Inn in Cheboygan, where he had stayed until several months ago.
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Deputies began searching for Gille Friday night and continued into Saturday, passing the search along to the oncoming shift, the sheriff's office said. Despite their efforts, deputies were unable to locate Gille before the violence occurred.
'Regrettably, less than 24 hours after receiving this order, a tragic series of events occurred in Traverse City,' stated the Monday, July 28 press release. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this devastating situation.'
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Gille is now in custody and faces multiple charges, including terrorism and assault with intent to murder, in connection with the July 26 stabbing spree, which injured 11 people.
As of Monday, Munson Medical Center was reporting that one patient remains in serious condition, five patients are listed in fair condition, two patients are in good condition, two patients have been treated and transferred, and one patient has been treated and released.
Authorities said Gille has a long history of mental illness and criminal charges spanning multiple counties.
In a 2007 Petoskey News-Review article, Gille's mother, Beverly Gille, described the struggles her son was facing. She said he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia as a teenager, and he had been in and out of the Emmet County Jail for a variety of misdemeanor offenses.
As the investigation into the mass stabbing continues, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office emphasized its commitment to transparency and said it would continue to share information with the public.
'This press release is issued by the Emmet County Sheriff's Office to provide clarity and reassurance to the community amid ongoing events and investigations,' Leirstein wrote.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at 231-675-0099 or adoyle@
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Emmet County deputies were searching for suspect Bradford Gille before Traverse City stabbings
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