PETOSKEY — The Petoskey Department of Public Safety said on Monday, July 28 that officers had encountered Bradford James Gille prior to his violent stabbing attack at a Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday, July 26.
In a press release, Public Safety Director Adrian Karr said the department had two contacts with Gille, 42, on Thursday, July 24 related to loitering in violation of the city’s ordinances. According to Karr, Gille was known to the department as an individual experiencing homelessness. Gille made no threatening comments and appeared calm at the time, and officers found no legal basis to detain him.
Based on concerns about his welfare, department officials petitioned the Emmet County Probate Court on Friday, July 25 for an order to place Gille in protective custody for evaluation. The court issued the order, and both Petoskey officers as well as deputies from the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office attempted to located Gille throughout the day on Friday and Saturday.
He was not located before he eventually traveled to Traverse City and stabbed 11 people at a Walmart on Saturday afternoon.
According to the Petoskey Department of Public Safety’s press release, city officials believe Gille had left Emmet County before the court order was issued.
“The Petoskey Department of Public Safety commends the heroic actions of citizens and first responders during and after the violent incident in Grand Traverse County this weekend. Their quick thinking undoubtedly saved lives, and for that, we are deeply grateful,” Karr wrote in the press release. “Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.”
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey Public Safety had contact with Gille prior to Traverse City stabbings
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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