Shooting at grocery store in Arkansas was “completely random,” police say

The shooting at an Arkansas grocery store on Friday was “a completely random, senseless act,” Colonel Mike Hagar of the Arkansas State Police said in a press conference on Sunday.

Police have not yet determined a motive for the attack on the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce that left four people dead and 10 others injured, Hagar said, adding they have found no connection between the suspect and any of the victims or the store.

The four people killed were identified as 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, 62-year-old Shirley Taylor and 81-year-old Ellen Shrum.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey, was shot by police at the scene and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

It is believed that Posey opened fire “immediately” after getting out of his vehicle in the parking lot and then entered the store, where he continued his rampage.

“He just started attacking victims indiscriminately, just as targets of opportunity,” Hagar said.

Hagar said the suspect has a “very limited” or possibly no criminal history.

Posey is charged with three counts of felony murder, according to Hagar, and is currently being held at the Ouachita County Detention Center.

He could face the death penalty, Hagar said.

One of the victims, Weems, a nurse, died while trying to treat another victim, Hagar said.

“During the incident, we saw the best and the worst of humanity,” he said. “For example, instead of fleeing from obvious danger, Callie Weems used her training as a nurse to assist a gunshot victim and, unfortunately, her selfless actions resulted in her becoming a victim herself.”

Hagar thanked the police officers who responded to the incident and who he said neutralized the suspect within five minutes of the shooting starting.

“These officers literally and intentionally placed themselves between the suspect and defenseless citizens,” he said. “Their actions were nothing short of heroic.”