2024 Fordyce Shooting
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Fordyce, Arkansas
TIME PERIOD
June 21, 2024
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On June 21, 2024, at approximately 11:38 a.m. CDT, a mass shooting occurred at the Mad Butcher supermarket in Fordyce, Arkansas, resulting in four fatalities and eleven injuries. The perpetrator, 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey, armed with a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, initiated the attack in the parking lot before moving inside the store. During the incident, Posey engaged in a shootout with law enforcement officers, resulting in two officers sustaining non-life-threatening injuries while he was critically injured and taken into custody. The victims included 81-year-old Ellen Shrum, 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, and 63-year-old Shirley Kay Taylor, with the investigation into Posey's motive ongoing.
Travis Eugene Posey, the perpetrator, is believed to have had a personal motive related to grievances against the local community, as he had previously expressed anger towards individuals he encountered at the supermarket. Some speculate that the attack may have been premeditated, given the choice of weapons and the timing of the incident. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Posey's mental health issues could have played a significant role in his actions leading up to the shooting.
The 2024 Fordyce Shooting: A Community Shattered
The Day of Tragedy
On a seemingly ordinary summer morning, June 21, 2024, the small town of Fordyce, Arkansas, found itself thrust into a nightmare that would forever alter its landscape. At precisely 11:38 a.m. CDT, chaos erupted at the Mad Butcher supermarket, located conveniently near U.S. Route 79, as frantic calls flooded into the police station. The dreaded words—"active shooter"—shattered the calm as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey unleashed terror upon the unsuspecting patrons and employees.
Armed with a Mossberg 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, Posey began his deadly rampage in the parking lot. Wearing a bandolier, he moved with a chilling determination, first targeting those outside before making his way into the heart of the grocery store. The assault continued unabated until law enforcement officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Fordyce Police Department arrived. A tense shootout ensued in the parking lot as Posey exited the store, engaging in a deadly exchange of gunfire.
The Victims
The shooting spree left a devastating toll. Four lives were tragically taken, and eleven others were injured in varying degrees, including the gunman himself. Among the fallen were Callie Weems, a 23-year-old nurse killed while bravely attempting to aid another victim, and her cousin, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, who was mortally wounded as he rushed into the store to assist others. Shirley Kay Taylor, 63, was also among those fatally injured inside the store. The horror extended into the following day when 81-year-old Ellen Shrum succumbed to her injuries.
The Perpetrator
Travis Eugene "Joey" Posey, identified by the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, was a long-standing member of the neighboring New Edinburg community. Born on July 26, 1979, Posey had lived in the area his entire life. He managed a landscaping company in Kingsland, established in 2010, and a local trucking service. His past held a blemish; in 2011, he was arrested in New York for attempting to carry an unregistered weapon through the gates of Fort Drum. He managed to plea down to a disorderly conduct charge, resulting in a $200 fine.
The Criminal Proceedings
Posey's first court appearance took place on June 25, 2024, where he stood accused of four counts of capital murder and ten counts of attempted murder. Despite the overwhelming evidence, he pleaded not guilty. A trial was initially scheduled for February 3, 2025, set by Judge Spencer Singleton in Camden. However, the proceedings took a dramatic turn on July 21, 2025, when Posey chose to plead guilty to all charges, including four counts of capital murder and eleven counts of attempted capital murder. This plea led to the cancellation of the trial and expedited his sentencing. On August 4, 2025, Posey was handed four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 220 years, and was promptly transferred to the Varner Supermax Unit.
The Civil Case
In the wake of the criminal case, a civil lawsuit emerged in August 2024. A woman injured in the massacre sought compensation for her medical expenses and other losses. Despite the seriousness of the complaint, Posey failed to respond, prompting her attorneys to seek a default judgment following his guilty plea in the criminal case.
Community Response and Aftermath
In the days following the tragedy, the tight-knit Fordyce community rallied together. On June 23, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Mad Butcher, lighting candles inscribed with the names of the victims. As the only grocery store in the area, its temporary closure necessitated the establishment of food distribution centers at locations like Fordyce High School.
State politicians, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, offered their condolences and condemned the violence. In a gesture of mourning, Governor Sanders ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on June 28. Fordyce Mayor John MacNichol expressed his shock and gratitude for the outpouring of support from across the state. Meanwhile, Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl created a fund to aid the victims and the wounded officer.
The owners of Mad Butcher, the Kentucky-based Houchens Food Group, issued a heartfelt statement thanking law enforcement and pledging full cooperation with the investigation. They also announced partnerships with local food pantries to support the community. On July 2, the store reopened with limited hours, with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin attending to show solidarity, stating, "there's a certain amount of healing that comes with retaking this ground that's so interwoven into the people's lives here in the community."
Sources
For further information, please visit the original Wikipedia page.
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Travis Posey opens fire at Mad Butcher supermarket, killing four and injuring eleven.
Suspect Engages Police
Posey exits the store and engages in a shootout with law enforcement, resulting in injuries to two officers.
Candlelight Vigil Held
Hundreds gather to honor the victims of the shooting with a candlelight vigil outside the Mad Butcher.
First Court Appearance
Travis Posey pleads not guilty to four counts of capital murder and ten counts of attempted murder.
Trial Date Set
Judge sets trial date for Posey following his not guilty plea.
Plea Agreement
Posey pleads guilty to all charges, cancelling the trial.
Sentencing
Posey is sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole plus 220 years.
Civil Lawsuit Filed
A woman injured in the shooting sues Posey for damages related to her injuries.
Mad Butcher Reopens
The Mad Butcher supermarket reopens with limited hours after the shooting.
On June 21, 2024, at approximately 11:38 a.m. CDT, a mass shooting occurred at the Mad Butcher supermarket in Fordyce, Arkansas, resulting in four fatalities and eleven injuries. The perpetrator, 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey, armed with a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, initiated the attack in the parking lot before moving inside the store. During the incident, Posey engaged in a shootout with law enforcement officers, resulting in two officers sustaining non-life-threatening injuries while he was critically injured and taken into custody. The victims included 81-year-old Ellen Shrum, 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, and 63-year-old Shirley Kay Taylor, with the investigation into Posey's motive ongoing.
Travis Eugene Posey, the perpetrator, is believed to have had a personal motive related to grievances against the local community, as he had previously expressed anger towards individuals he encountered at the supermarket. Some speculate that the attack may have been premeditated, given the choice of weapons and the timing of the incident. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Posey's mental health issues could have played a significant role in his actions leading up to the shooting.
The 2024 Fordyce Shooting: A Community Shattered
The Day of Tragedy
On a seemingly ordinary summer morning, June 21, 2024, the small town of Fordyce, Arkansas, found itself thrust into a nightmare that would forever alter its landscape. At precisely 11:38 a.m. CDT, chaos erupted at the Mad Butcher supermarket, located conveniently near U.S. Route 79, as frantic calls flooded into the police station. The dreaded words—"active shooter"—shattered the calm as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey unleashed terror upon the unsuspecting patrons and employees.
Armed with a Mossberg 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, Posey began his deadly rampage in the parking lot. Wearing a bandolier, he moved with a chilling determination, first targeting those outside before making his way into the heart of the grocery store. The assault continued unabated until law enforcement officers from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office and Fordyce Police Department arrived. A tense shootout ensued in the parking lot as Posey exited the store, engaging in a deadly exchange of gunfire.
The Victims
The shooting spree left a devastating toll. Four lives were tragically taken, and eleven others were injured in varying degrees, including the gunman himself. Among the fallen were Callie Weems, a 23-year-old nurse killed while bravely attempting to aid another victim, and her cousin, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, who was mortally wounded as he rushed into the store to assist others. Shirley Kay Taylor, 63, was also among those fatally injured inside the store. The horror extended into the following day when 81-year-old Ellen Shrum succumbed to her injuries.
The Perpetrator
Travis Eugene "Joey" Posey, identified by the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, was a long-standing member of the neighboring New Edinburg community. Born on July 26, 1979, Posey had lived in the area his entire life. He managed a landscaping company in Kingsland, established in 2010, and a local trucking service. His past held a blemish; in 2011, he was arrested in New York for attempting to carry an unregistered weapon through the gates of Fort Drum. He managed to plea down to a disorderly conduct charge, resulting in a $200 fine.
The Criminal Proceedings
Posey's first court appearance took place on June 25, 2024, where he stood accused of four counts of capital murder and ten counts of attempted murder. Despite the overwhelming evidence, he pleaded not guilty. A trial was initially scheduled for February 3, 2025, set by Judge Spencer Singleton in Camden. However, the proceedings took a dramatic turn on July 21, 2025, when Posey chose to plead guilty to all charges, including four counts of capital murder and eleven counts of attempted capital murder. This plea led to the cancellation of the trial and expedited his sentencing. On August 4, 2025, Posey was handed four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 220 years, and was promptly transferred to the Varner Supermax Unit.
The Civil Case
In the wake of the criminal case, a civil lawsuit emerged in August 2024. A woman injured in the massacre sought compensation for her medical expenses and other losses. Despite the seriousness of the complaint, Posey failed to respond, prompting her attorneys to seek a default judgment following his guilty plea in the criminal case.
Community Response and Aftermath
In the days following the tragedy, the tight-knit Fordyce community rallied together. On June 23, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Mad Butcher, lighting candles inscribed with the names of the victims. As the only grocery store in the area, its temporary closure necessitated the establishment of food distribution centers at locations like Fordyce High School.
State politicians, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, offered their condolences and condemned the violence. In a gesture of mourning, Governor Sanders ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on June 28. Fordyce Mayor John MacNichol expressed his shock and gratitude for the outpouring of support from across the state. Meanwhile, Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl created a fund to aid the victims and the wounded officer.
The owners of Mad Butcher, the Kentucky-based Houchens Food Group, issued a heartfelt statement thanking law enforcement and pledging full cooperation with the investigation. They also announced partnerships with local food pantries to support the community. On July 2, the store reopened with limited hours, with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin attending to show solidarity, stating, "there's a certain amount of healing that comes with retaking this ground that's so interwoven into the people's lives here in the community."
Sources
For further information, please visit the original Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Travis Posey opens fire at Mad Butcher supermarket, killing four and injuring eleven.
Suspect Engages Police
Posey exits the store and engages in a shootout with law enforcement, resulting in injuries to two officers.
Candlelight Vigil Held
Hundreds gather to honor the victims of the shooting with a candlelight vigil outside the Mad Butcher.
First Court Appearance
Travis Posey pleads not guilty to four counts of capital murder and ten counts of attempted murder.
Trial Date Set
Judge sets trial date for Posey following his not guilty plea.
Plea Agreement
Posey pleads guilty to all charges, cancelling the trial.
Sentencing
Posey is sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole plus 220 years.
Civil Lawsuit Filed
A woman injured in the shooting sues Posey for damages related to her injuries.
Mad Butcher Reopens
The Mad Butcher supermarket reopens with limited hours after the shooting.