FORDYCE, AR – A horrific act of violence unfolded at a local grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Friday, June 21, where a shooter opened fire, killing three individuals and wounding several others, including two quick-acting police officers. The assailant was neutralized by law enforcement and taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a swift response to the tragic event, police officers immediately engaged the shooter upon arrival at the Mad Butcher grocery store. As bullets were exchanged, a chaotic scene emerged, leaving multiple civilians injured, ranging from minor to critical conditions.

Arkansas State Police, under the direction of Public Safety Secretary Mike Hagar, have now secured the area and emphasized that there is no longer any threat to the community. Hagar made it clear in a press briefing following the incident, “This situation is secure and contained.”

The suspect, identified by authorities on Friday evening as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey of New Edinburg, has been apprehended, ending the immediate danger to the small town just south of Little Rock.

The affected families and community are grappling with the grief of this violence. Local Councilor Roderick Rogers, who was one of the first to call 911, expressed the town’s anguish and called for continued prayers for all who have been touched by the tragedy.

Witness testimony from the Doherty sisters, who were present during the shooting, revealed the fear and disbelief that such an event could occur in their small town. David Rodriguez, another onlooker, captured the chaotic aftermath on his phone, mistaking the sound of gunshots for fireworks initially.

Statewide reactions have poured in, with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders acknowledging the tragic event. She expressed gratitude towards the law enforcement for their bravery and extended thoughts and prayers to the victims and all those impacted.