Mass Shooting at Arkansas Grocery Store

A fourth victim injured in Friday’s Fordyce grocery store shooting passed way Saturday evening.

A total of 14 people were injured from gunfire Friday, June 21, 2024, including 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers and the suspect.

Those killed in the shooting were all civilians. They were:
Shirley Taylor, 62
Callie Weems, 23
Roy Sturgis, 50
Ellen Shrum, 81

Five female and two male civilians, ranging in age from 20 to 65, survived injuries sustained in the shooting. Four of those individuals remain hospitalized, including a woman who is in critical condition at UAMS in Little Rock. Three of the injured civilians were treated and released from the Dallas County Medical Center on Friday.

Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, was released from a Little Rock hospital this evening after being treated for a gunshot wound. Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24, received minor injuries.

Suspect Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg, will be charged with four counts of Capital Murder. Additional charges are pending. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, released to ASP custody, and transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the shooting that occurred on Friday, June 21, 2024, at approximately 11:38 a.m. at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce.

Earlier Release — Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is investigating a shooting that occurred on Friday, June 21, 2024, at approximately 11:38 a.m. at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce. 

ASP has named the suspected shooter in today’s Fordyce grocery store shooting as Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg.

Posey will be charged with three counts of Capital Murder. Additional charges are pending. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, released to ASP custody, and transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center.

Fourteen people were injured from gunfire, including 11 civilians – three of whom were fatally wounded. Two of the 14 were law enforcement officers; their injuries are not considered life-threatening. The suspected shooter, who is in custody, was also shot and sustained injuries that are regarded as non-life-threatening. 

The civilian victims’ injuries range from non-life threatening to extremely critical.

“It’s tragic, and our hearts are broken,” said Col. Mike Hagar. “Our prayers, along with Governor Sanders and the entire state of Arkansas, will be with this community and those affected victims.”

“I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I’m in constant contact with State Police at the scene. 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,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

ASP is asking for anyone with information to please call (870) 850-8630.