Fordyce, Arkansas – A tragic shooting incident unfolded at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming the lives of four individuals. The shooter opened fire, injuring nine others and instilling fear as panicked bystanders sought refuge.
Authorities in Arkansas confirmed the death of a fourth victim on Saturday evening, bringing the total number of casualties to 14. Among those affected were 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers, and the suspect himself. The deceased were identified as Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81, all civilians. The injured individuals, ranging between the ages of 20 and 65, included a woman in critical condition.
The wounded officers were identified as Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, and Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24, with Johnson already released from the hospital and Hudson sustaining minor injuries. The alleged shooter, Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg, will face charges of four counts of capital murder. After sustaining non-life-threatening injuries in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, Posey was taken into custody.
Details on the shooter’s motive remain undisclosed as authorities continue their investigation. A media briefing is scheduled to provide updates on the incident, shedding light on the events that unfolded at the grocery store.
The shooting, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, sent shockwaves through the small community of Fordyce, located south of Little Rock. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as people scrambled for safety, with one individual even running to the nearby hospital for refuge.
In the aftermath, images and videos shared on social media captured the harrowing aftermath of the shooting, showcasing numerous bullet holes in the store’s windows and shell casings scattered across the parking lot. The incident marks the latest tragic mass shooting with a grocery store setting, echoing similar tragedies in recent years.
The community of Fordyce mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident at the Mad Butcher grocery store.