LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a dramatic courtroom reversal, Travis Eugene Posey, the 45-year-old man accused of opening fire at a Fordyce, Arkansas, grocery store last year, pleaded guilty Monday to killing four people and injuring 11 others. The surprise plea comes just weeks before his scheduled trial, bringing a grim chapter closer to resolution for the small town still reeling from the massacre.
The Attack: A Small Town’s Worst Nightmare
On June 21, 2024, Posey walked into the Mad Butcher grocery store—Fordyce’s only supermarket—armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a pistol, and a bandolier packed with extra ammunition. Witnesses described a scene of terror as he first fired at people in the parking lot before entering the store and shooting indiscriminately.
Police arrived within minutes, engaging in a gunfight with Posey, who was eventually wounded and taken into custody. Inside the store and outside in the parking lot, officers found multiple gunshot victims, including two wounded police officers. The attack left four dead and 11 injured, marking one of Arkansas’s deadliest mass shootings in recent years.
A Guilty Plea, But No Answers
Posey, who had previously pleaded not guilty, shocked the court Monday by admitting to:
- Four counts of capital murder
- Eleven counts of attempted capital murder
His sentencing is set for August 4, where he could face life in prison or the death penalty.
Despite the guilty plea, key questions remain unanswered. Investigators have not identified a motive, and authorities say Posey had no known connection to the victims. Before the shooting, his criminal record was minor—only a 2011 misdemeanor weapons charge from an incident at Fort Drum, New York.
A Community Forever Changed
Fordyce, a tight-knit town of just 3,200 people, was left in shock. The Mad Butcher, a lifeline for residents, was forced to close for 11 days, prompting local organizations to set up emergency food distribution sites.
One injured survivor has since filed a civil lawsuit against Posey, seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. With Posey failing to respond to the lawsuit, her attorneys are now pushing for a default judgment.
What’s Next?
As the legal process moves forward, the August 4 sentencing hearing will determine Posey’s fate. Meanwhile, Fordyce continues to heal, with residents supporting one another while grappling with the senseless violence that shattered their community.
This case underscores the devastating impact of mass shootings on small towns, where everyone knows the victims—and where recovery takes far longer than headlines suggest.
Final Thought: While justice is one step closer, the scars from that June day remain. For Fordyce, the road ahead is about more than a courtroom verdict—it’s about rebuilding, remembering, and resilience.
