A Small Arkansas Town Reels From A Deadly Shooting At Its Only Grocery Store
Fordyce, Arkansas, a town of just over 3,400 residents, is grappling with the aftermath of a horrific shooting that left four people dead and nine injured. The tragedy unfolded on Friday morning at the Mad Butcher grocery store, the town’s only supermarket, when a gunman, identified as Travis Eugene Posey, 44, opened fire with a shotgun, both inside the store and in the parking lot. The victims, many of whom were simply running errands or enjoying their daily routines, have been identified as Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81.
Key Takeaways:
- A small town shaken: Fordyce is a close-knit community where tragedy has left residents reeling and grappling with the sense of insecurity and loss.
- A senseless act of violence: The shooting has left the community questioning how such a horrific incident could occur in their peaceful town.
- A community united in grief: As the town mourns its victims, residents are coming together to support each other, remembering the lives lost and seeking solace in their shared grief.
- A call for answers: Authorities are actively investigating the incident, but a motive remains unclear. The community is left desperate for answers and hoping justice will be served.
The Shooting and Its Aftermath:
The shooting occurred shortly after 11:00 am on Friday, as Thomas and Sharon Brazil, a local minister and his wife, sat in their car in front of the Mad Butcher, discussing their evening meal. "He looked at us, and he shot," Mr. Brazil described the terrifying encounter. He was struck in the forehead, while Ms. Brazil suffered glass cuts. They were both fortunate to survive.
The attack spread from the parking lot into the store, where witnesses described a scene of chaos. "He was calm," said Mr. Brazil, describing the gunman, "he was walking and shooting."
"I just don’t have the words," said Kasey Langley, whose daughter owns a flower shop nearby, reflecting the shock and disbelief permeating the town. "I woke up this morning thinking it was all a dream."
The Victims
The lives lost in the tragedy were interwoven into the fabric of Fordyce community:
- Shirley Taylor, a beloved mother and grandmother, was described by her daughter, Angela Atchley, as a woman who loved to cook and entertain. "She was such a great woman," Atchley said, "She’d do anything for her kids. Her family was everything to her."
- Callie Weems, a young woman with a bright future, tragically became another victim of the senseless violence.
- Roy Sturgis and Ellen Shrum, both residents of Fordyce, were also killed in the attack.
The Suspect
Travis Eugene Posey, who was described by some residents as an individual known as “Joey,” has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including four counts of capital murder. The police are still investigating a possible motive for the horrific act.
Posey was previously known in the community for his work in the lumber industry, following in the footsteps of his father, a former Marine who fought in Vietnam. He also had a trucking business, and on Saturday investigators found a truck bearing the name “Travis Posey Trucking” parked on his property.
A Community United in Grief:
Fordyce is a town where neighbors know their neighbors, where local businesses are run by familiar faces, and where tragedy strikes like a bolt from the blue. The community is now united in its grief, coming together to offer support, comfort, and memories of the lives lost.
"Unheard of in this small town," said Ms. Langley, as she paused to photograph a wreath placed near the store, a symbol of the community’s collective grief.
The Mad Butcher grocery store remains closed, its doors adorned with a message, "TEMPORARILY CLOSED. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY," a poignant plea that speaks to the collective heartache of the town.
"We are a small town, but we are strong," said Robin Roark, a local pastor, highlighting the community’s resilience.
A Path Forward:
The path to healing in Fordyce will be long, challenging, and marked by the absence of those who were tragically taken too soon. As the town mourns its losses, it also embraces a hope for a future where the memory of these victims serves as a reminder of the preciousness of life and the importance of community.
