Authorities in Michigan are investigating after multiple people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City, police said on Saturday.

The Michigan state police said in a social media post that a suspect is in custody and the local sheriff’s office is investigating the incident. The agency asked that people avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing.

A Walmart corporate spokesperson, Joe Pennington, said by email that the company was “working with police and defer questions to them right now”.

Lt Michelle Robinson, the public information officer for the Michigan state police’s sixth district, confirmed to the Detroit News that a person was taken into police custody but could not give details on the number of people stabbed.

Munson Healthcare, a medical center in Traverse City, posted on social media saying 11 people were being treated at that hospital. The hospital requested patience and understanding from the public as “our emergency department is currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients”.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this event, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement for their swift action,” the post read.

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer posted on social media that she was aware of the incident and in touch with law enforcement. She wrote: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence. I am grateful to the first responders for their swift response to apprehend the suspect.”

Traverse City is about 255 miles (410km) north-west of Detroit.