Gunman Opens Fire at Arkansas Grocery Store, Leaving Three Dead and Many Injured

A tragic incident unfolded in Fordyce, Arkansas, as a gunman opened fire at the Mad Butcher grocery store, leaving at least three dead and several others wounded. The small town, located about 70 miles south of Little Rock, was shaken by the deadly attack that occurred just before noon.

Authorities, including the Arkansas State Police led by Director Mike Hagar, responded swiftly to the shooting. Hagar confirmed that eleven individuals were injured, with three fatalities, while two officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the confrontation. Some civilians were reported to be in critical condition.

The shooter, who was critically wounded by police and taken into custody, remains under watch at a local medical facility. Hagar emphasized that it was too early to establish a concrete motive for the violent incident, with the investigation ongoing.

Witnesses like Matt Gill, a meat cutter at the store, recounted hearing gunshots and chaos erupting as the shooter entered the premises. Gill managed to escape through the back door, highlighting the tense and dangerous situation inside the grocery store.

Among the harrowing moments during the shooting was when sisters Amiya and Ashiya Doherty narrowly avoided being hit in their family SUV. The intensity of the gunfire, which hit nearby vehicles, was described by the young girls as reminiscent of a movie scene.

Local pastor Roderick Rogers, who saw the aftermath of the violence, expressed shock at the scene with people lying wounded in the parking lot. The community of Fordyce was deeply impacted by the incident, with a sense of disbelief and grief setting in.

Video footage captured moments of the shooting in the parking lot, showing the gunman wielding a long gun and firing at vehicles before reloading. The disturbing visuals underscored the chaotic nature of the attack and the immediate threat faced by those present at the scene.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders commended the law enforcement and emergency responders for their rapid and courageous response to the crisis, acknowledging their efforts to protect lives amidst the chaos.

The tragic events in Fordyce add to a recent spate of shootings, including incidents in Oakland, California, during Juneteenth celebrations near Lake Merritt. The growing frequency of such violent acts underscores the ongoing challenges faced by communities nationwide.