A tragic shooting incident at Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, left three people dead and 10 injured. The suspect, who remains unidentified, was also injured and taken into custody after a shootout with police officers. The small town of Fordyce, with a population of around 3,200 people, was shaken by the violence that occurred on Friday morning, about 70 miles south of Little Rock, the state capital.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene quickly, and two officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire. The Arkansas State Police did not provide details on what led to the shooting but mentioned that the wounded officers were expected to recover. The civilian injuries varied from non-life-threatening to critical, with some in extremely critical condition. Social media videos captured the chaotic scene, showing a person lying in the parking lot and multiple gunshots ringing out. Reporters on-site shared images of bullet holes in the grocery store’s window.
Local and state agencies, including medical helicopters, were seen responding to the incident. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed gratitude to law enforcement and first responders for their swift actions to save lives. She offered prayers for the victims and those affected by the tragic event.
The shooting comes at a time when gun safety measures are under scrutiny in the United States. President Joe Biden recently admitted to not fulfilling his promises on gun safety, highlighting the alarming rate of gun-related deaths, especially among children. He called for a ban on civilian ownership of assault rifles, citing their use in mass shooting incidents. The issue of gun control has been a significant point of contention between Democratic and Republican candidates in elections. Biden criticized his opponent, former President Donald Trump, for his ties to the National Rifle Association (NRA) and his stance on existing gun regulations.