NEW YORK -- At least 11 people were injured in a stabbing Saturday afternoon at a Walmart store in Traverse City in the northern part of the US state of Michigan.

Around 4:45 pm local time (2045 GMT), a 42-year-old man entered the store and used a folding knife style weapon to stab people there, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.

The suspect was in custody and the attack appeared to be a random one, said the sheriff.

As of Saturday evening, three people were undergoing surgery at Munson Medical Center. Five victims were in serious condition and six in critical condition, Munson Healthcare said in a statement.

People are advised to avoid the area as the investigation continues.