Sanders Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Mourn the Lives Lost in Fordyce Shooting

On Monday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 28th, to honor the lives lost in the Fordyce shooting.

On the morning of June 21, 2024, 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey of New Edinburg unleashed gunfire at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, injuring eight civilians and two law enforcement officers, and taking the lives of four individuals: 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, 52-year-old Shirley Taylor, and 81-year-old Ellen Shrum. The victims, ranging in age from 23 to 81, were deeply loved by their families and the Fordyce community, rendering their loss an immense tragedy for Arkansas.
The injured, whose ages span from 20 to 65, found sanctuary in the store’s freezer. The courage and kindness of those at the Mad Butcher were on full display as they put their lives on the line to help others during and following the incident.

Law enforcement swiftly engaged the shooter, risking their lives to prevent further loss before his capture, resulting in injuries to two officers.
Fordyce’s close-knit community has been profoundly shaken by this disaster. In its wake, neighbors, friends, and family members have come together to offer comfort, prayers, and assistance to the afflicted.

Arkansans are keeping Fordyce, the bereaved families, and all impacted by this sorrowful event in their thoughts and prayers, while the State commits to continued support and resources for the community.