Arkansas State Police confirmed that 11 people and two officers were shot during a mass shooting at a Fordyce grocery store. Here’s what we know.
FORDYCE, Ark. — A mass shooting at a Fordyce grocery store has left a community in shambles after more than a dozen people were shot on Friday.
Here’s everything we know so far about the incident.
What happened?
In total, 13 civilians were shot, including two local police officers and the suspect who opened fire at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce around 11:38 a.m. on Friday.
Three people were killed, and 10 others were wounded. Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said the two police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.
Additionally, Hagar said the situation is “secure and contained,” as the shooter is in custody.
“It’s tragic, and our hearts are broken,” Hagar said. “Our prayers, along with Governor Sanders and the entire state of Arkansas, will be with this community and those affected victims.”
Fordyce is a city of about 3,200 people located 65 miles (104 kilometers) south of Little Rock.
Videos posted on social media showed at least one person lying in the parking lot, while another captured multiple gunshots ringing out.
58-year-old David Rodriguez, who captured one of the viral social media videos, had stopped at a local gas station in Fordyce when he thought he heard fireworks from a nearby vendor.
“We heard a few little pops,” Rodriguez said.
He said people then started to run from the Mad Butcher grocery store into the parking lot, which is when he pulled out his phone and started recording.
“The police started to show up,” Rodriguez said. “Then there was massive gunfire and ambulances pulling up… the bullets were just flying.”
Our reporters went to the scene and reported seeing a slew of bullet holes in the grocery store’s window. One person even said they hid in a freezer to protect themselves.
It’s the latest mass shooting to happen at a grocery store since a white supremacist killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket in 2022. That shooting came a little more than a year after one at a Boulder, Colo., supermarket, where 10 people were killed.
Who is the shooter?
Arkansas State Police confirmed that there was one shooter, 44-year-old Travis Posey of New Edinburg.
Posey is in custody and will be charged with three counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending. Arkansas State Police said Posey was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement.
He is being held at the Ouachita County Detention Center.
Posey’s motive is currently unknown. It is also unclear what type of gun he used in the shooting.
Hagar said Arkansas State Police will serve as the primary investigating agency. They’ve communicated with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has “committed any resources needed” to aid the investigation.
Sanders said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she’s been briefed on the situation and her “prayers are with the victims and those impacted.”
“I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I’m in constant contact with state police at the scene,” Sanders said. “I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident.”
Who are the victims?
Thirteen people were shot, with three turning fatal. Hagar said the two police officers who were shot suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.
Although information regarding the victims is limited, Hagar said their injuries range from non-life-threatening to “extremely critical.”
Below is what we know about the victims.
Callie Weems
23-year-old Callie Weems was shot and killed while grocery shopping at Mad Butcher, Callie’s mother, Helen, confirmed to us. Callie Weems has a 10-month-old daughter and worked as a licensed practical nurse at the Dallas County Medical Center.
No other information has been released about the victims. We are working to learn more.
Shirley Kay Taylor
63-year-old Shirley Kay Taylor was killed during the mass shooting, confirmed through her daughter Angela Atchley. Taylor was reportedly checking out when she was fatally shot by the gunman.
Atchley told us her mother was a great person, who loved her kids and grandchildren and loved to cook.
“She was the hardest working woman ever,” Atchley said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Arkansas State Police at (870) 850-8639.
We will update this story with more information as it becomes available. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
First appeared on www.thv11.com