Police credited bystanders with intervening to stop the suspect in a mass stabbing at Walmart near Traverse City from using his folding knife to hurt more people.

“I will tell you they were absolutely instrumental in preventing further injuries, potential casualties,” Grand Traverse Sheriff Michael Shea said Sunday, July 27.

Eleven people were injured in the attack by a 42-year-old Michigan resident who appeared to randomly target the victims, according to Shea.

An officer was at the scene within three minutes of police receiving the first 911 call, Shea said during a July 26 news conference.

A video posted by WZZM 13 shows what appear to be bystanders intervening to thwart the suspect outside the Walmart.

“Drop the knife,” one man shouts in the video, which shows several men, one who appears to be holding a handgun, surrounding another man between cars in the parking lot. “Throw it away,” another man yells.

Shea didn’t provide the name of suspect. He said the name typically isn’t released until the arraignment on criminal charges. The suspect is currently being held at the Grand Traverse County Jail, according to Shea. Shea said he has plans to release further information via a news release which may include an update from the prosecuting attorney and Munson Medical Center which is treating the victims.

Munson Healthcare on Sunday in a statement said that the 11 victims were still continuing to receive care with the patients showing “encouraging signs of recovery.”

Seven of the injured individuals are in fair condition, 4 are in serious condition and zero are in critical condition, the hospital said. That marks an improvement from July 26 when six were in critical condition and five were in serious condition.

Shea previously said six of the stabbing victims were male and five were female. He did not provide ages or any other information.

Police have not provided any motive for the attack but said they believe the assailant acted alone.

“Based on the information that we have at this time, it appears (these) were random acts, that the victims were not predetermined,” Shea said at the press conference.

On Sunday morning, July 27, officers remained present at the Walmart and the store was closed off with police tape.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at [email protected] or 313-296-5743.

Free Press intern Natalie Davies contributed. Jonathan Limehouse and Bart Jansen of USA TODAY contributed with previous reporting