FORDYCE, Ark. – A mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce has left all of the South Arkansas community in shock. Multiple news outlets across the state reported the incident occurred around noon.
4:04 PM UPDATE: According to the Arkansas State Police in a press conference held Friday afternoon following the shooting, calls came in to authorities at 11:38 a.m. about an active shooter situation at the Mad Butcher in Fordyce. Law enforcement arrived swiftly and immediately engaged the lone gunman. Authorities were able to injure the suspect and take him into custody. Unfortunately, 11 civilians were shot, three of which are deceased. Some others among those shot are in critical condition.
Two law enforcement personnel were also shot, but their injuries are non-life-threatening.
The Arkansas State Police will be the lead investigative authority on the case and another statement to the press is expected later this evening.
Original SRC article continued:
According to Deltaplex News, two additional helicopters have been requested by authorities at the scene. In addition to the helicopters, eight ambulances are responding, underscoring the severity of the situation. Jefferson Regional Hospital in Pine Bluff and Baptist Hospital in Little Rock have also been asked for assistance.
The shooter is in custody according to various other news reports, but the toll of the incident is still being assessed. Reports indicate that at least one police officer has been shot, but SRC cannot independently confirm.
Warren Mayor Gregg Reep spoke with the Saline River Chronicle, stating that the City of Warren has offered to send officers to Fordyce to assist in the aftermath. “We are ready to help in any way we can,” Mayor Reep said. However, it is yet to be determined if Fordyce will require this additional support.
As the community grapples with the impact of this tragic event, authorities are continuing their investigation and efforts to provide aid to those affected. More details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.
Saline River Chronicle offers a heartfelt and sincere prayer for those affected, as well as our neighboring community at this difficult time of crisis.
1:33 PM UPDATE: According to some reports, as many as eight people were shot in the incident.
1:41 PM UPDATE: KARK’s Tylisa Hampton reporting both local and state police are on the scene. She is also reporting medical helicopters seen leaving the area and multiple shell casings visibly on the ground.
1:51 PM UPDATE: According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, they say the Arkansas State Police have confirmed to them that one person has been killed and multiple wounded. PLEASE NOTE an earlier version of this update indicated two people killed. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette has since revised that article. Again, Saline River Chronicle cannot independently verify that information.
1:56 PM UPDATE: According to Warren Mayor Gregg Reep, the City of Warren has offered assistance to Fordyce. However, he noted that the City of Warren will not be left unprotected. On-duty officers are in Warren and operating to keep the public safe here. He also stated he is going to contact the City of Fordyce’s Mayor to offer Warren’s prayers and condolences.
2:00 PM UPDATE: The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette says that a Dallas County Courthouse employee told them “at least four active shooters were involved in the incident.” Saline River Chronicle has not been able to verify that information.
2:04 PM UPDATE: According to Fox 16’s Kevin Kelly, the Arkansas State Police say a total of nine people were shot. He says, “Of those, two were killed.” One law enforcement officer was shot but has non-life-threatening injuries. According to the statement shared by Kelly, “The shooter was critically injured after being shot by law enforcement and has been taken into custody.”
2:11 PM UPDATE: Reporter Tylisa Hampton says she spoke with a man who says he and his wife are lucky to be alive as their car was shot multiple times during the incident in Fordyce Friday.
3:16 PM UPDATE: KATV speaks with one of the witnesses who called 911:
3:25 PM UPDATE:
3:42 PM UPDATE: We are awaiting the press briefing from the Arkansas State Police.