Fordyce, AR — A routine shopping day turned tragic when gunfire erupted at a local grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, leaving the small town community reeling. Four individuals were killed and nine others injured in the shooting that took place on Friday, causing panic and fear as shoppers scrambled for safety.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. at the Mad Butcher grocery store. Authorities responded to the chaos prompted by the sound of rapid gunfire. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter, armed with a long gun, began firing indiscriminately, shattering the front windows of the store.
Katrina Doherty, who was at the grocery store with her young children, described the terrifying ordeal. Initially mistaking the gunshots for the sound of falling objects, the reality of the situation dawned on her when she saw glass shattering and a person collapsing. In a bid to find safety, Doherty, her 18-year-old daughter, and her 4-year-old son hid in a freezer with several other terrified shoppers.
David Rodriguez, another eyewitness who was nearby, initially thought the sounds were fireworks before realizing the severity of the situation. He described a scene of panic as shoppers fled the building amidst continuous gunfire.
The Arkansas State Police swiftly engaged with the shooter, later identified as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey from New Edinburg. The confrontation led to Posey being wounded and subsequently taken into custody. He is expected to face charges including four counts of capital murder.
During the exchange of gunfire, two police officers sustained injuries but are expected to recover. The community is mourning the loss of life and grappling with the aftermath of the violence. Victims ranged from 23 to 81 years old, each leaving behind devastated families and friends.
This shooting in Fordyce is part of a worrying trend of gun violence across the country. Previously, the Gun Violence Archive reported a significant number of mass shootings this year, underscoring an ongoing crisis.
In response to the tragedy, Fordyce Mayor Steve Jester stated that the town is working to provide support to those affected. “We’re a close-knit community, and this has touched every one of us in some way. Our focus now is on helping our community heal,” said Jester.
Local authorities, along with community leaders, are organizing counseling services and support groups to assist residents in dealing with the trauma. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also been in contact with law enforcement officials and has pledged state resources to aid the community.
As Fordyce mourns, residents are calling for actions that can prevent such tragedies in the future, emphasizing the need for more robust measures to address gun violence. The investigation continues as the community seeks closure and ways to prevent such incidents from recurring.