Arkansas State Police have confirmed that 3 people have died and multiple others were shot during an incident at a Fordyce grocery store on Friday.
FORDYCE, Ark. — Authorities in Fordyce responded to a shooting outside of a local grocery store where multiple victims were shot on Friday, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Arkansas State Police have said that 11 civilians were shot, with 3 of those being fatal. Additionally, two officers were shot and suffered non life-threatening injuries.
ASP also shared that the shooter was “critically injured” after being shot by officers. The suspect has been taken into custody.
Investigators with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office were initially called to assist Dallas County authorities with the incident.
Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedel has since confirmed that the incident has been “contained.”
Following the incident, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted online that she has been in contact with local authorities and said that her prayers are with those impacted.
“I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I’m in constant contact with State Police at the scene,” Gov. Sanders said. “I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident.”
Authorities have not clarified if the shooting happened inside or outside the grocery store.
Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said the situation is “secure and contained,” as the shooter is in custody,
“It’s tragic [and] our hearts are broken,” Hagar said. “Our prayers, along with Gov. Sanders and the entire state of Arkansas, will be with this community and with those affected victims.”
Videos posted on social media showed at least one person lying in the parking lot, while another captured multiple gunshots ringing out.
58-year-old David Rodriguez, who captured one of the viral social media videos, had stopped at a local gas station in Fordyce when he thought he heard fireworks from a nearby vendor.
“We heard a few little pops,” Rodriguez said.
He said people then started to run from the Mad Butcher grocery store into the parking lot, which is when he pulled out his phone and started recording.
“The police started to show up,” Rodriguez said. “Then there was massive gunfire and ambulances pulling up… the bullets were just flying.”
We will update this article as more information becomes available.
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