A mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery in Fordyce, Akansas, on Friday left four people dead and nine wounded, including a 23-year-old nurse who was shot while helping another victim, police said on Sunday.
Colonel Mike Hagar, director of the Arkansas State Police, described Callie Weems, the nurse, as incredibly brave.
“Instead of fleeing the store, she stopped to render aid in one of the most selfless acts I’ve ever seen,” Hagar said.
Travis Eugene Posey, the 44-year-old suspect, was injured in a shootout with police and faces four counts of capital murder.
The incident occurred shortly before midday when the gunman opened fire with a shotgun in the grocery store’s parking lot and then inside the store. Weems, who belonged to three generations of nurses, was known for her compassion and love for riding horses, earning her the nickname “Woodrow” after a character in “Lonesome Dove,” according to her father, Tommy Weems.
“She died doing what she always does: Helping,” said Weems.
Police identified the other victims as Shirley Taylor, 62, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81. The surviving victims range in age from 20 to 65 years old. Two of the wounded individuals were police officers.
Hagar praised the quick actions of the six responding officers.
“During the incident, we observed the very best and the very worst of humanity,” he said, noting the officers’ bravery in placing themselves between the shooter and civilians.
Investigators have yet to establish a motive for the attack, which Hagar called a “completely random, senseless act.” Posey was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and a pistol, firing mostly buckshot rounds.
Colonel Mike Hagar, director of the Arkansas State Police, described Callie Weems, the nurse, as incredibly brave.
“Instead of fleeing the store, she stopped to render aid in one of the most selfless acts I’ve ever seen,” Hagar said.
Travis Eugene Posey, the 44-year-old suspect, was injured in a shootout with police and faces four counts of capital murder.
The incident occurred shortly before midday when the gunman opened fire with a shotgun in the grocery store’s parking lot and then inside the store. Weems, who belonged to three generations of nurses, was known for her compassion and love for riding horses, earning her the nickname “Woodrow” after a character in “Lonesome Dove,” according to her father, Tommy Weems.
“She died doing what she always does: Helping,” said Weems.
Police identified the other victims as Shirley Taylor, 62, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81. The surviving victims range in age from 20 to 65 years old. Two of the wounded individuals were police officers.
Hagar praised the quick actions of the six responding officers.
“During the incident, we observed the very best and the very worst of humanity,” he said, noting the officers’ bravery in placing themselves between the shooter and civilians.
Investigators have yet to establish a motive for the attack, which Hagar called a “completely random, senseless act.” Posey was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and a pistol, firing mostly buckshot rounds.
