Fordyce, Arkansas – A tragic shooting incident at an Arkansas grocery store has left four people dead, with a fourth victim succumbing to injuries sustained from the attack. The shooter opened fire, injuring nine others and causing chaos as scared bystanders sought safety amidst the flurry of bullets.
According to Arkansas state police, the deceased individuals have been identified as Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81. The victims were all civilians, as stated in the police report that listed a total of 14 people struck by gunfire, including 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers, and the suspect.
The wounded individuals, ranging in age from 20 to 65, are currently receiving medical care, with four still hospitalized. Among the injured were Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, who has been discharged, and Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24, whose injuries were reported as minor.
The identified suspect, Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg, will face four counts of murder in connection with the shooting incident. After exchanging gunfire with law enforcement and being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Posey was taken into police custody and transferred to the Ouachita County Detention Centre.
Law enforcement authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, situated 104km south of Little Rock. Roderick Rogers, a city council member, recounted the chaotic scene as people scrambled for safety and sought refuge from the violence.
The tragic incident adds to the list of mass shootings that have occurred at grocery stores, with the latest one drawing comparisons to a previous act of violence at a supermarket. In 2022, a white supremacist targeted and killed 10 Black individuals at a Buffalo store, underscoring the ongoing issue of gun violence in public spaces.