Michigan man charged in Michigan Walmart stabbing was police's radar before attack

Authorities in Michigan said Monday they were looking for the man charged in the weekend stabbing of 11 people at a Walmart in Traverse City days before the incident occurred. 

Emmett County police had received orders to take the defendant, Bradford James Gille, into custody under a court order, but were unable to locate him before Saturday’s attack, according to a report from MLive.

On Thursday, public safety officials for the city of Petoskey, which is in Emmett County, had two interactions with Gille related to loitering in violation of the municipal ordinances, according to Up North Live ABC.

"Mr. Gille made no threatening comments and appeared calm, and officers found no legal basis to detain him. However, based on concerns about his welfare, the Department of Public Safety promptly petitioned the Emmet County Probate Court on the morning of Friday, July 25, for an order to place Mr. Gille in protective custody for evaluation," the department said. 

"The Probate Court issued the order on Friday, but despite diligent efforts by Petoskey officers and the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Gille could not be located before the tragic events in Grand Traverse County. The City understands that Mr. Gille left Emmet County before the Probate Court order was issued."

Reports show that Gille has a history of mental illness, substance use and past assaults.

In 2016, he was brought to court under charges of malicious destruction of tombs and memorials, disenterment and mutilation of dead bodies.  Charges were later dismissed when he was found not competent and pleaded not guilty due to insanity.

Gille is being held at Traverse County Jail, and officials say he is facing life in prison.

Police said the attack was not planned.  

“It appears that these were all random acts,” Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said."The victims were not predetermined.”

In addition to 11 counts of assault with intent to murder, Gille is facing one charge of terrorism due to the fact that the incident's impact on the community.

“Obviously (the victims) are most affected but it is, we believe, in some ways done to affect the entire community, to put fear in the entire community and to change how maybe we operate on a daily basis,” Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg said.

So far, one of the 11 victims have been released from the hospital after treatment, while two remain in serious condition.  The others are in fair condition, CNN reported.  All are expected to survive.