Fourth Victim Dies in Arkansas Supermarket Shooting as Investigations Continue

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
23/06/2024 22h56

Police have confirmed that a fourth victim has succumbed to injuries sustained in the Fordyce, Arkansas shooting, which took place on June 21. The tragic incident occurred when suspect Travis Posey, 44, allegedly opened fire in the Mad Butcher grocery store, leaving nine others injured.

Posey now faces four counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending, according to law enforcement officials. Arkansas State Police have reported that a total of 14 people were struck by gunfire during the incident. Among them were 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers, and the suspect himself.

The names of the four deceased victims have been released as Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81. In addition to these tragic losses, seven other civilians, ranging in age from 20 to 65, sustained gunshot wounds. Four individuals are still recovering in the hospital, with one woman described as being in critical condition. Meanwhile, the three others have already been treated and discharged from the hospital.

Two police officers were also injured in the crossfire. Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, was released from the hospital on Saturday evening after suffering a gunshot wound, while Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24, sustained minor injuries.

Following the exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, Travis Posey was treated for non-life-threatening injuries before being taken into custody and transferred to the Ouachita County Detention Center.

The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and Arkansas State Police are actively investigating the incident. Shockingly, this marks the second mass shooting to occur in the state within this month alone, according to Gun Violence Archive data.

In light of the tragedy, family and friends have spoken out about the lives lost. Ellen Shrum, an 81-year-old victim, was remembered as an amazing, kind-hearted soul who owned a florist for many years, creating beautiful arrangements for her community.

Roy Sturgis, another victim, was described as a good man, hard worker, and great father by loved ones and neighbors. He was known for being courteous and standing up against bullies.

Callie Weems, a nurse and mother to a 10-month-old baby, was praised for her selflessness and willingness to help others. Helen Browning, Weems' mother, expressed her sadness and confusion, stating, "I just want to know why Joey Posey woke up this morning and decided he needed to go ruin families' lives." Browning also revealed that she had known the suspect since he was a child.

Eyewitnesses to the tragedy recounted harrowing moments when gunshots rang out, causing shoppers to seek refuge in the freezers, enduring the fear and uncertainty of the situation. Mad Butcher, the supermarket where the shooting took place, expressed shock and deep sadness over the senseless act of violence and announced its closure until the investigation concludes.

As the investigation into this devastating shooting continues, the community of Fordyce mourns the loss of innocent lives and seeks to find answers to the perplexing question of why such a tragic event occurred in their small town.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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