Jonesboro, Arkansas – In a tragic event that shook the city of Jonesboro in 2014, a mass shooting claimed the lives of four individuals, including the shooter, a twelve-year-old girl, and two men. The shooter, identified as Porfirio Sayago Hernandez, fired upon seven people, resulting in three fatalities before ultimately taking his own life. The aftermath of the shooting left multiple crime scenes scattered along Moore Road on the west side of town.
Assistant Chief of the Jonesboro Police, Lynn Waterworth, vividly recalls the chaotic scene that unfolded on that fateful day. As the Captain of the Investigations Division at the time, Waterworth arrived at the scene before the shooter’s body was discovered in a car on a nearby county road. The rapid sequence of events left law enforcement scrambling to secure the area while trying to make sense of the tragedy.
According to Waterworth, the response to the mass shooting involved a coordinated effort from various departments as well as the deployment of a helicopter to aid in the situation. Amidst the turmoil and heightened emotions, Waterworth remained focused on fulfilling her duty to provide assistance to the victims as quickly as possible, despite the overwhelming nature of the situation.
Reports indicated that prior to the shooting, Porfirio had visited a local pawn shop to purchase a gun. Additionally, his wife revealed to investigators that he had been admitted to St. Bernard’s Behavioral Health Center for depression treatment just days before the tragic incident. During his time at the center, Porfirio had expressed violent intentions, stating his desire to harm others before taking his own life. Despite receiving medication for his condition, he abruptly left the facility two days later.
The details surrounding the mass shooting in Jonesboro serve as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and mental health issues within communities. As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, it underscores the importance of early intervention and support for individuals experiencing mental health crises to prevent future incidents of this nature.