GARFIELD TOWNSHIP — A new lawsuit claims employees at the Walmart in Grand Traverse County missed critical signs leading up to the July stabbing attack that left 11 people injured.
Attorneys from Morgan & Morgan Law Firm are representing one of those victims, and they are now suing, hoping to change Walmart’s policy.
The attorneys did not share what kind of financial compensation they may be asking for.
The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s office says back on July 26, Bradford Gille went into the Grand Traverse County Walmart and stabbed 11 people. He was later arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder as well as terrorism.
Gille is currently being treated at a mental health facility downstate.
Lawyers in the case said that Walmart is at least partially responsible for missing the warning signs that led up to a stabbing attack.
They say the store had a 30-minute window to follow its own policy and call the police in a situation like this. But instead, they chose to do nothing.
“We’re not here suggesting that Walmart had to accost him as the heroic two veterans did outside,” said Morgan and Morgan Attorney Nicholas Panagakis. “But, you know, all they needed to do was make a phone call.”
Lawyers for Morgan & Morgan said Grand Traverse County Walmart employees missed clear signs of mental distress when Bradford Gille was in the store back on July 26.
“Numerous customers observed Gilie acting suspiciously,” Morgan and Morgan Attorney David Stechhow said. “Never focusing on doing any shopping. He had no basket. He had no cart. He was moving throughout the facility and reappearing at the same location. He was wandering with a large duffel bag throughout the store, and he was intently studying the security cameras on the ceiling.”
Lawyers say once the stabbing started, employees did not help customers get out of the store.
“Literally, one employee has stated, ‘I just ran. I ran, as did all the other employees.’” Stechhow said. “It was two heroic veterans who eventually surrounded Gilie and prevented further attacks until the police arrived, which was in three minutes of that first 911 call.”
This legal team is representing one of the stabbing victims who lost use of his right hand as a result of his injuries.
He didn’t appear at the press conference today but told attorneys he wants assurance from Walmart that they’ll take steps to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
“And so at the end of the day, under the law, there’s something called foreseeability,” Panagakis said. “Or say it another way. If it’s predictable, it’s preventable. This was totally preventable by Walmart.”
9&10 News reached out to Walmart, and a spokesperson provided the following statement:
“The safety of our customers and associates is a top priority. We will review the complaint once served and will respond appropriately in court.”
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