In a tragic incident at a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, three people were killed and 10 others were wounded in a shooting, according to the Arkansas State Police. The injured include two police officers who responded to the scene.

The violent incident occurred at the Mad Butcher grocery store in the late morning hours, prompting multiple calls to the police about an active shooter. Law enforcement swiftly arrived and engaged in gunfire with the lone suspect. The suspected shooter was also wounded during the exchange and has been taken into custody.

Authorities have reported that the injuries sustained by both the officers and the suspect are not believed to be life-threatening. Mike Hagar, the Secretary of Public Safety and Director of the Arkansas State Police, emphasized that the situation has been contained, assuring the community that there are no active threats.

Hagar further stated that the injured civilians range from non-life-threatening to extremely critical conditions. The incident adds to the alarming statistics of mass shootings in the United States in 2024, with at least 234 such events according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

The shooting in Fordyce is part of an unfortunate trend in recent weeks, with a total of 21 mass shootings recorded by the Gun Violence Archive since the previous Friday. As summer heat continues to rise, the nation has witnessed a surge in violent incidents.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement expressing her sorrow over the tragic shooting. She affirmed that she is in constant contact with the state police at the scene.

Eyewitness David Rodriguez recalled hearing what he initially mistook for fireworks when he pulled into a nearby gas station. He soon witnessed the suspect firing shots and people fleeing from the grocery store. First responders rapidly arrived at the scene, and Rodriguez observed broken front windows of the Mad Butcher grocery store, appearing to be shattered from gunfire.

Matthew Gill, the meat manager at the store, revealed that the shooter entered with a shotgun and engaged in a shootout with the police. Meanwhile, Fordyce City Council Member Roderick Rogers recounted speaking to individuals who experienced the traumatic incident and emphasized the need for counseling and support for those affected.

The investigation into the shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store is ongoing. Updates on the incident will be provided as more information becomes available.