A shooting occurred outside a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Mike Hagar, director of public safety and chief of the Arkansas State Police, said at a news conference Friday afternoon. Three people died and eight were injured.
Hager said two law enforcement officers were among the injured, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
The gunman was taken into custody after an exchange of gunfire with state police.
The victims’ injuries ranged from non-life-threatening to critical, Hager said.
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Law enforcement officers were at the scene of a shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Friday.
“This is tragic and our hearts are broken,” Hager told reporters.
A witness who works at Holt Builder’s Supply across the street from the Mad Butcher grocery store shooting told Fox News Digital that he heard “several gunshots” and saw the victim being pulled from the scene.
“Multiple agencies are trying to figure out what happened. We saw police running around the pharmacy, which is right next door to the Crazy Butcher,” the employee said.
“It’s very busy here from 11:30 to noon,” he added, noting that he saw a medical evacuation site on the local hospital’s helipad.
A shooting at a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, left three people dead and many others injured. (KTHV/NNS)
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders said on social media that she “has been informed of the tragic shooting in Fordyce and I have been in contact with state police on the scene. I thank law enforcement and first responders for their quick response Take Action” My prayers go out to the victims and all those affected by this horrific event. “
One witness, Odis Allen, told Fox 16 he has lived in Fordyce for 60 years and was completely “shocked” by the shooting.
“I’ve never seen anything like this happen in Fordyce, Arkansas,” he told the station, adding that he was scared for his children and grandchildren.
Another witness told Fox 16 that the gunman “teared down a community today.”
“I hope people spread more love instead of hate,” he added.
David Rodriguez, who was pumping gas nearby, told The Associated Press that he initially thought he heard fireworks.
Rodriguez said he then saw people running into the parking lot from the Crazy Butcher grocery store and one of them lying on the ground.
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Law enforcement officers were at the scene of a shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Friday.
Local Pastor Roderick Rogers told Fox 16 he received calls from some members saying they were near where the shooting occurred and he contacted the mayor and police to respond.
He said he had lived in Fordyce his whole life and “never in a million years” had he thought something like this would happen in the town.
“Let us continue to pray for everyone involved. We can get through this,” he added.
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Fordyce has a population of approximately 3,200 and is located approximately 65 miles south of Little Rock.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
