The most serious reported incidents of 2025 involved:
- a mass stabbing with terrorism charges,
- a street crime-related homicide of a city employee,
- violent encounters with law enforcement, and
- drug/weapon-related arrests.
1. Mass Stabbing at Walmart — July 26, 2025
- A 42-year-old man, Bradford James Gille, allegedly went on a stabbing spree inside a Walmart in Garfield Township near Traverse City.
- Eleven people were injured, some seriously, in what officials described as a random attack.
- Bystanders and law enforcement intervened; the suspect was taken into custody.
- Gille was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and terrorism count
- There’s an ongoing civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a victim alleging negligence related to the incident.
2. Downtown Parking Deck Shooting — November 15–16, 2025
- Two teenagers (ages 17 and 18) were arrested after a series of events downtown: vehicle break-ins, a police chase, and gunfire directed at officers.
- Shortly afterward, Larry Boyd IV, a 32-year-old city Parking Services employee, was found shot and killed in the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck.
- The suspects are charged with murder, attempted murder of a police officer, and other felonies. Both were denied bond in court hearings and pleaded not guilty.
3. Assault on a Police Officer During Traffic Stop — Late September 2025
- A 27-year-old man was arrested after refusing to comply during a DUI traffic stop, becoming violent toward officers (including biting and striking).
- A K-9 was deployed, and a taser was used to gain control
4. Drug and Weapons Arrests
a. Early 2025 Traffic Stop (April)
- A Traverse City man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and cocaine after a traffic stop in Benzie County. An unregistered handgun was also found.
b. December 2025 Incident
- A Newaygo County man was arraigned in Traverse City on charges including carrying a concealed weapon, possession of weapons by a felon, OWI (drunk driving), and assaulting/ resisting an officer after crashing into a snowbank and resisting arrest.
Other Crime Trends & Reports
- Residents reported a string of car break-ins, particularly on 13th Street, with police urging vehicle owners to lock cars. Traverse City police warn of car break-ins
- Record Eagle “Police are urging residents to lock their cars after a string of break-ins on 13th Street, where one victim lost more than $4,000 in valuables.
- Most thefts target unlocked cars, and police say offenders often stick around as long as they keep finding easy opportunities.
- The trend: Break-ins happen in “waves” across the city. The last was in late August on Webster Street and Riverine Drive.
- What they’re doing: With few witnesses and limited footage, police are pushing a voluntary camera registry to help fast-track investigations.
- How it works: Residents can add their cameras to a list officers may call if a crime happens nearby. Enrollment is voluntary and can be canceled anytime.”
- There were social media mentions of a suspected bank fraud involving a fake military ID and withdrawals at local banks (not confirmed by official outlets).
2025 (Preliminary / Estimated) Crime Statistics — Traverse City, MI
Overall Crime Rate
- Based on FBI data interpreted through HomeSnacks (which references latest available UCR reports), there were 207 total reported crimes in the latest reporting period interpreted for 2025 estimates.
- This yields an overall crime rate of about 1,317.1 per 100,000 residents — significantly below the national average (≈2,119.2 per 100,000). HomeSnacks
Violent Crime
- 45 violent crimes reported — roughly 286.3 per 100,000 residents.
- This rate is also below the national violent crime rate (≈359.0 per 100,000).
- Violent crime here includes serious offenses like aggravated assault, robbery, and rape; murder is extremely rare. HomeSnacks
Property Crime
- 162 property crimes reported — about 1,030.8 per 100,000 residents.
- Also lower than the Michigan state and national averages for property crime. HomeSnacks
Breakdown of Major Types (FBI UCR Categories)
| Category | Estimated Count | Rate per 100k |
|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime (total) | 45 | 286.3 |
| Robbery | 2 | 12.7 |
| Aggravated Assault | 35 | 222.7 |
| Property Crime (total) | 162 | 1,030.8 |
| Burglary | 15 | 95.4 |
| Larceny/Theft | 136 | 865.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 11 | 70.0 |
(The tables and rates above are based on latest FBI UCR data interpreted for 2025; the FBI officially publishes detailed statistics with a time delay.)
