A MASS SHOOTING at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Friday left four people dead and ten others wounded, including two police officers. The incident has shaken the small community and prompted calls for action against gun violence in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Four people were killed, and ten others were wounded in a mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas.
- The suspected shooter, 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey, was taken into custody after exchanging gunfire with police.
- The victims ranged in age from 23 to 81 years old.
- Two police officers were among the wounded but have non-life-threatening injuries.
- The community is in shock, and counseling services are being arranged for survivors.
The Incident
The shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Mad Butcher grocery store, the only grocery store in Fordyce. Shoppers were sent into a panic as gunfire erupted, with many seeking refuge in the store’s freezer. Katrina Doherty, a shopper, described the harrowing experience of hiding in the freezer with her children, praying for their safety.
Victims and Casualties
The victims of the shooting have been identified as:
- Callie Weems, 23, a nurse and mother of a 10-month-old daughter.
- Shirley Kay Taylor, 63, who was reportedly checking out when she was shot.
- Roy Sturgis, 50, who was shot while trying to save others.
- Ellen Shrum, 81, who succumbed to her injuries on Saturday evening.
In addition to the fatalities, ten others were wounded, including two police officers who have since been released from the hospital. The remaining civilian injuries range from non-life-threatening to extremely critical.
The Suspect
The suspected shooter, Travis Eugene Posey, was taken into custody after a shootout with police. Posey, a resident of New Edinburg, Arkansas, is expected to be charged with four counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending. He is currently being held at the Ouachita County Detention Center and is set to appear in court on Monday.
Community Response
The small community of Fordyce, with a population of just over 3,200, is reeling from the tragedy. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been in constant contact with state police and has expressed her condolences to the victims and their families. Local officials are working to provide counseling services for survivors and those affected by the shooting.
National Context
This incident is part of a troubling trend of mass shootings in the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 234 mass shootings in the country in 2024 alone. The high frequency of such events has led to increased calls for stricter gun control measures.
Conclusion
The mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States. As the community mourns the loss of four individuals and supports the recovery of the wounded, there is a renewed call for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Sources
- Fordyce shooting: Panicked Arkansas grocery store shoppers hid in freezer, ran for cover amid shooting that killed 3 and wounded 10 | CNN, CNN.
- What to know about victims in mass shooting at Arkansas store | thv11.com, thv11.com.
- Shooting outside Arkansas grocery store leaves 3 dead, multiple wounded, including 2 law enforcement officers | Fox News, Fox News.
- Families, grocery workers hid in freezer to survive Arkansas mass shooting | Arkansas | The Guardian, The Guardian.
- Three dead, 11 injured in mass shooting at south Arkansas grocery • Arkansas Advocate, Arkansas Advocate.
From The Editor
An X Post:
“ARKANSAS HAS T HE WEAKEST GUN LAWS in America, including permitless carry, and yet no armed civilians stopped him… The gunman is alive and in jail.”
Editor’s Response:
WE’VE BEEN WATCHING THE STORY CLOSELY as we prepare for our first podcast release. Our hearts feel for the families of the victims in yet another senseless shooting.
Regarding the statement that no one shot back in this particular incident, it’s important to note that the presence or absence of armed civilians who could have engaged the shooter doesn’t change the legal framework. Arkansas law would still allow for the use of deadly force by armed citizens against an active shooter, regardless of whether anyone actually did so in this specific case.
However, it’s crucial to emphasize that engaging an active shooter is extremely dangerous and should only be considered as an absolute last resort. Factors such as the chaotic nature of such situations, the risk of misidentification by law enforcement, and the potential for causing unintended harm to bystanders make civilian intervention highly risky.
Law enforcement and security experts generally recommend that civilians prioritize their own safety and the safety of those around them by evacuating if possible, hiding if evacuation is not an option, and only confronting the shooter as a last resort when lives are in imminent danger.