Fordyce, Arkansas – Three individuals lost their lives, and ten others sustained injuries in a tragic mass shooting outside a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, according to state police. Among the wounded are two law enforcement officers, whose conditions were reported as not life-threatening during an afternoon press conference.

The Arkansas State Police swiftly responded to the Mad Butcher grocery store at 11:38 a.m. local time on Friday. Upon their arrival, officers engaged in a shootout with the lone suspect, authorities disclosed.

A video clip from the scene captured a man in the parking lot armed with a shotgun, exchanging gunfire with officers.

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety Director, Mike Hagar, described the injuries of the eight civilians wounded as ranging from non-life-threatening to extremely critical during the briefing. Hagar assured the public that the situation was under control and contained, with no ongoing threats to the community.

The shooter, identified as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey of New Edinburg, Arkansas, was apprehended. Police reported that Posey was first treated at a hospital for injuries sustained in the confrontation with officers before being taken into state police custody on three counts of capital murder.

Eyewitness accounts from individuals nearby painted a harrowing scene of chaos and fear. One witness, David Rodriguez, recounted hearing gunfire at a neighboring gas station and seeing people run for safety.

Ken Vanderzwalm, a former police officer who works near the grocery store, described the pandemonium that ensued as people sought refuge in his shop.

In a show of solidarity and support, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by law enforcement and first responders to mitigate the impact of the tragedy.

Federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have joined local authorities in the investigation and response efforts.

The incident at the Fordyce grocery store adds to a distressing trend of mass shootings, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address gun violence in communities across the United States.