GRAND RAPIDS — Two of the men who intervened in the stabbing spree at a northern Michigan supermarket on July 26 said they hope the 11 injured victims — and the greater Traverse City community — receive justice, after local prosecutors charged the suspect with terrorism and a slate of assault with intent to murder charges.
Bradford James Gille, 42, was arraigned July 28 in Grand Traverse County 86th District Court and is due back in court for a probable cause conference Aug. 6. He requested a not guilty plea be entered on his behalf.
A Detroit Free Press analysis of court records found a decadeslong history of Gille’s run-ins with the law and mental health struggles. Matt Kolakowski, one of the men who confronted Gille in the parking lot of the Walmart near Traverse City where the stabbings took place, said as he locked eyes with Gille, the suspect appeared to be in a state of panic.
“He had turned and looked at me, looked at us and had that knife forward like he was running,” Kolakowski, 39, said during a news conference in Grand Rapids on July 29. “His run was very leaned forward, like he was trying as hard as he could to get out. I had seen his eyes at that point in time, but it had seemed like he was out of this world.”
“It looked very sloppy,” added Chris O’Brien, 43.
O’Brien and Kolakowski, who are brothers-in-law, were visiting the Walmart to pick up supplies for a family vacation when the stabbing spree broke out. They were among those who ran to confront Gille, with Kolakowski among the group who subdued Gille before he was arrested, hitting him with a shopping cart. O’Brien filmed the confrontation, which has been shared widely since he posted the video. After another bystander, Derrick Perry, pulled out his gun, O’Brien said he wanted to capture the exchange on film in the event Perry was provoked into shooting. Perry has since said he never intended to fire his weapon.
Kolakowski and O’Brien both said they’ve been flooded with interview requests since the video spread online. Kolakowski said as Gille was confronted, he appeared to try to justify his actions.
“He said, like in defense of what he was doing, ‘everybody in there is bad, and they all need to die,’ is what he was saying, pretty much. I don’t remember his exact words,” Kolakowski said.
“I would have assumed drugs,” O’Brien said. “Bad ones.”
Noelle Moeggenberg, Grand Traverse County prosecutor, said during Gille’s arraignment he “does have a clear history of mental illness.” Gille appeared for his arraignment via Zoom from a local jail. At times, he didn’t appear to understand Magistrate Judge Tammi Rodgers’ instructions.
“I don’t really want to talk to you right now,” Gille told the judge during his arraignment. During the hearing, he requested the court to appoint him an attorney.
Moeggenberg said much of the incident was captured on surveillance video. Kolakowski, who is cooperating with investigators, said he is prepared to testify in any court hearing if called to.
“Right now, I’m just in contact with the sheriff’s department through a detective there,” he said. Kolakowski picked up the knife allegedly used in the stabbing after Gille was confronted. “I grabbed it and didn’t let it go,” he said. “I didn’t want anyone to come up and take it.”
Both O’Brien and Kolakowski said they are hopeful the 11 victims receive justice in the case. Munson Healthcare, a northern Michigan health provider, said in a July 28 update that the stabbing victims’ conditions were continuing to improve.
“I hope the victims of this, and their families, all get better,” Kolakowski said. “Seek help if they need it. I hope … they get justice out of what he did. I hope it comes to that point where every one of them gets justice for what he caused. Even the people that witnessed it.”
This story was updated with additional information.
Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bystanders who confronted suspect in Traverse City Walmart stabbings hope for justice
Reporting by Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
