LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An act of violence shook the peaceful atmosphere of a small community in Fordyce, Arkansas, as a shooter claimed the lives of four victims and injured several others in a tragic incident at a local grocery store. The gunman’s rampage left nine wounded individuals and shattered the sense of safety for bystanders who sought refuge amid the chaos.
The Arkansas state police, in a statement released following the incident, confirmed the death of a fourth victim on Saturday, bringing the total count of those hit by gunfire to 14. Among the casualties were 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers, and the suspected shooter. The deceased individuals were identified as Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81.
Authorities disclosed that the wounded individuals, ranging in age between 20 and 65, included four who remained hospitalized, with one woman listed in critical condition. The injured officers were identified as Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, who was discharged from the hospital, and Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24, whose injuries were minor.
The suspect, identified as Travis Eugene Posey, 44, from New Edinburg, is facing four counts of capital murder for his alleged involvement in the deadly shooting. Following an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, Posey sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was treated, and subsequently taken into police custody. The motive behind the attack remains undisclosed, with a scheduled media briefing expected to provide further details.
The tragic event unfolded on a Friday morning at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a close-knit community located about 65 miles south of Little Rock. Eyewitnesses, like Roderick Rogers, a local city council member, recounted the chaotic scene of people seeking refuge wherever they could as gunshots echoed through the area. Social media footage captured glimpses of the aftermath, showing bullet-riddled cars and windows, as well as responders rushing to the scene, highlighting the swift and coordinated emergency response.
This devastating incident joins a grim list of mass shootings that have taken place in everyday settings like grocery stores, raising concerns about public safety and the prevalence of gun violence. In the wake of this tragedy, the community grapples with grief, while law enforcement endeavors to piece together the events leading up to the deadly attack, shedding light on the urgency for measures to prevent such senseless acts of violence in the future.
