Fordyce, Arkansas — A tragic incident unfolded Friday morning when a gunman opened fire at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, resulting in three fatalities and 11 injuries. According to authorities, the assailant was neutralized and detained by law enforcement after being injured in the encounter.
The Arkansas State Police reported that the shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m., quickly escalating as local police engaged with the armed individual. Among the wounded were two police officers, though their injuries were confirmed as non-life-threatening. The conditions of the other victims varied, with some facing extremely critical situations.
During a press briefing, Mike Hagar, the director of Arkansas State Police, mentioned that the shooter’s injury appeared to be non-fatal. He did not provide details on the identity or motive of the shooter, which remains under investigation.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and confusion. David Rodriguez, a local resident fueling his car at a nearby station, initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. “Suddenly, there was mass gunfire involving the police and the shooter in the parking lot,” Rodriguez recounted. He managed to capture some moments on his phone before hastily leaving the scene for safety.
Inside the grocery store, employees and shoppers were caught off guard by the sudden violence. Matt Gill, a butcher at Mad Butcher, recounted the initial confusion followed by a swift reaction. “Everyone was asking about the noise, and when I recognized it as gunfire, I knew we needed to evacuate quickly,” said Gill, who assisted in leading others to safety through a rear exit, although some employees were inadvertently separated amidst the frenzy.
The incident swiftly drew responses from local and state officials. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed her gratitude towards the first responders through a social media statement, commending their quick and heroic actions.
This shooting adds to a troubling pattern of violence in public spaces, reminiscent of the devastating attack at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, in 2019, where a gunman killed 23 people. Such incidents heighten ongoing concerns about gun violence in America and the safety of everyday environments like grocery stores.
Community members in Fordyce, a small city located approximately 70 miles south of Little Rock with a population of about 3,300, are now grappling with the shock and grief of the unexpected violence in their midst. The full impact of this event on the local community remains to be seen as investigations continue and residents seek to support one another in recovery and healing.