Fordyce, Arkansas – A tragic shooting at a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, has left a community reeling after a lone gunman opened fire, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuring nine others. The incident occurred at the Mad Butcher grocery store, located in the small city of Fordyce, approximately 65 miles south of Little Rock.
Authorities have identified the four victims as Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81. All four were civilians who tragically lost their lives during the shooting. The injured range in age from 20 to 65, with four individuals still receiving medical treatment, including one woman in critical condition.
Among those injured were two law enforcement officers, identified as Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, and Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24. Officer Johnson has been released from the hospital, while Officer Hudson sustained minor injuries.
The suspected gunman, Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg, is in police custody and is facing four counts of capital murder. After exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, Posey was treated for non-life-threatening injuries before being taken to the Ouachita County Detention Center.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting, and a media briefing has been scheduled to provide updates on the investigation. Despite the tragedy, the community has come together to mourn the loss of the victims and support those affected by the senseless act of violence.
The shooting at the grocery store has once again reignited conversations around gun violence in the United States, with previous incidents at supermarkets in other states serving as grim reminders of the devastating impact of such events. As law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the community of Fordyce is left grappling with the aftermath and seeking solace in each other’s support.