Account set up to assist victims of Fordyce mass shooting
An account has been set up at Fordyce Bank and Trust for donations to go to the victims and families from last week’s mass shooting at the Fordyce Mad Butcher.
Dallas County Sheriff Mike Kneodl announced that the account has been set up in a social media post Monday morning.
Good morning,
I wanted to reach out to everyone and ask for continued prayers for our community, especially for the victims and their families. My heart is broken over this horrific incident, but we cannot let it define or divide us. It is a time for everyone to come together and support each other as we mourn the loss of innocent victims.
I have been involved in several traumatic incidents in my career, but nothing comes close to what happened last Friday. This hits home because I personally knew so many of the innocent victims.
With that said, I have had many people ask what they can do to help. I have an account set up in my name at Fordyce Bank and Trust under donations. This account will be used to assist the victims' families and the Fordyce PD officer who was injured. Before anyone asks why the officer may need assistance, the medical expenses will be covered under workman's compensation. However, he will only receive 65% of his current salary until he returns to work. Any donations will be distributed evenly between families. I will be happy to show anyone where these donations are going.
In closing, I want everyone to know I'm back at work today and have been cleared by the prosecutor for my involvement in the shooting. Words cannot express my sincere thanks for all the calls and texts of support over these past several days.
There is not much more that I can add at this time, but to say God is watching over our county and will help us get through this!!
God Bless,
Sheriff Mike Knoedl
15 people were shot in the shooting, with four being killed during the incident. Two law enforcement officers and the suspect were three of the 15 that were shot or injured.
Those killed in the shooting include 62-year-old Shirley Taylor, 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis, and 81-year-old Ellen Shrum.
Five female and three male civilians, ranging in age from 20 to 65, survived injuries sustained in the shooting. Five of those individuals remain hospitalized, including a woman who is in critical condition at UAMS in Little Rock. Three of the injured civilians were treated and released from the Dallas County Medical Center on Friday.
Six officers working for the Fordyce Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff's Office were on the scene during the incident. Four additional Fordyce Police officers and an off-duty officer employed by the Stuttgart Police Department arrived on scene after the suspect was taken into custody.
Jacob Murry, 26, an officer who serves both the Fordyce Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, was treated Friday for minor injuries related to gunfire. Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, was released from a Little Rock hospital Saturday evening after being treated for a gunshot wound.
Stuttgart Police Officer John Hudson, 24, received minor injuries unrelated to gunfire. He rendered medical aid to an injured individual after the incident had concluded. Hudson was previously incorrectly included as an officer with injuries related to gunfire.
Suspect Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg, will be charged with four counts of Capital Murder. Additional charges are pending. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement. Posey was released to ASP custody and transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center, where he remains.
ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the shooting.