A northern Michigan man accused of wounding 11 people during a chaotic stabbing spree at a Traverse City-area Walmart in July 2025 has reportedly been ruled competent to stand trial.
The ruling, reported by Traverse City’s WPBN-TV, comes after suspect Bradford Gille underwent months of psychiatric treatment to restore his ability to understand the legal process and the charges against him.
In August 2025, Judge Michael Stepka with Traverse City’s 81st District Court ruled that Gille was incompetent to stand trial after a forensic psychologist testified that Gille’s perception of his case seemed “odd” and “delusional.” Stepka ordered Gille to continue with treatment at the forensic center.
During Gille’s latest hearing on Friday, Stepka ruled that Gille, 43, is now competent, WPBN reported.
According to online court records, Gille remains held on a $1 million bond. His attorney, Jacob Graff, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.
History of mental health issues
Gille has struggled with serious mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia, for decades, according to family members.
He was charged in 2016 with disinterring and mutilating dead bodies and destroying tombs, after authorities said he used a shovel and sledgehammer to break into a grave at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey — because he believed his father, who was alive, was buried there, Gille’s brother has said.
Authorities said deputies were searching for Gille the day before the attack after he had encounters with police that left them concerned about his mental well-being.
On July 26, while deputies were looking for him, Gille allegedly entered a Walmart store and began randomly stabbing shoppers with a folding knife with a 3.5-inch blade.
Eleven people, ranging in age from 29 to 84, were hurt in the attack, which moved through the store and into the parking lot.
Shoppers in the parking lot subdued and held Gille until law enforcement arrived.
Gille has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of assault with intent to murder and one count of terrorism. His next hearing has not yet been scheduled, according to online court records.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Walmart stabbing suspect ruled competent to stand trial: Report
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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