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13 people shot, 3 killed, at Fordyce, Arkansas grocery store

Published on

June 21, 2024

Credit: Tim Griffin

More than a dozen people were shot, three fatally, when a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, local officials say. The suspect was shot by police and taken into custody.

The incident happened at 11:38 a.m. on Friday when officers were called for an active shooter at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a small city about 66 miles south of Little Rock.

“Law enforcement responded immediately and exchanged gunfire with a lone suspect,” Department of Public Safety Director Mike Hagar said at a 4 p.m. press conference.

A spokesman for the department confirmed that 14 people were shot, including 11 civilians, 2 police officers and the suspect. Three of the civilians were killed and several others were seriously injured. The officers suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was later identified as 44-year-old Travis ‘Joey’ Posey, who was taken to jail after being treated for a graze wound.

Travis Posey’s mug shot (Credit: Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office)

“The investigation is in its early stages and we have no more information we can release at this time,” Hagar said at the briefing. He provided no information about a possible motive.

“I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I’m in constant contact with State Police at the scene,” Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives.”