Bradford James Gille was arraigned on Monday, July 28, in the 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County in connection with a mass stabbing in Traverse City.
Gille, 42, was formally charged with one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder, one for each of the 11 people injured in the stabbing at a Traverse City Walmart on Saturday, July 26.
Gille appeared via video and answered a few brief questions from Tammi Rodgers, chief magistrate for Grand Traverse County. When asked for a mailing address, he said, “I don’t really have one right now” but provided a Cheboygan address as his last known residence.
Gille was described as “an individual experiencing homelessness” by the Petoskey Department of Public Safety in a press release on Monday.
Petoskey officers had made contact with Gille on Thursday, July 24, related to loitering. Officers reported that Gille made no threatening comments and appeared calm, and they found no legal basis to detain him, according to the release.
However, based on concerns about his welfare, the department petitioned the Emmet County Probate Court on Friday, July 25, for an order to place Gille in protective custody for evaluation, which the court issued.
Petoskey officers as well as deputies from the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office unsuccessfully attempted to find Gille, but officials believe he had already traveled outside of the county by that point, according to police.
Gille was later arrested after being subdued by bystanders after allegedly stabbing 11 people at the Walmart.
On Monday, Gille pleaded not guilty and requested a court-appointed attorney.
When considering setting bond, Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg asked the judge to consider prior convictions, the seriousness of the offense and the probability of conviction.
“We would ask the court to put in place a significant cash bond at this time,” she said. “We believe that’s truly the only way to protect the public at this point.”
The judge gave Gille a $100,000 cash or surety bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Aug. 6, and a preliminary examination is scheduled for Aug. 12.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gille arraigned on charges including terrorism, intent to murder in Walmart stabbing
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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