Who is Travis Eugene Posey? Accused Arkansas Grocery Store Gunman Details
A man accused of killing four people in a mass shooting at an Arkansas grocery store on Friday was carrying two firearms when he opened fire in the parking lot before heading inside.
Among Travis Eugene Posey's alleged victims was a new mother and an 81-year-old woman, while two police officers were also among the 10 others injured, including the suspect.
"During the incident, we observed the very best and the very worst of humanity," Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar said at a press conference Sunday.
Callie Weems, 23, started using her nursing training to issue aid to victims at the Mad Butcher in Fordyce when she was fatally shot, Hagar said. Her daughter is 10 months old.
"The actions of the suspect were the most cowardly, pathetic actions imaginable, as he was literally preying on defenseless victims," Hagar added. "The majority of which were female."
The other victims were Shirley Taylor, 62, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81.
Posey is facing multiple charges
Posey, 44, from New Edinburg, is facing four charges of capital murder. Police said Sunday that other charges were pending.
The suspect's motive for the shooting remains unknown as of Monday morning.
"That is obviously going to be a focus of our investigation," Hagar said Sunday. "There appears to be no personal connection to the shooter or any of the victims."
Public records seen by Newsweek show Posey having lived in New Edinburg since 2001, with other addresses in Kingsland and Fordyce, where the shooting occurred.
Records show little evidence of previous criminal records, something which Colonel Hagar confirmed Sunday.
Police also said there were no other suspects involved in the incident.
Posey shot at officers
Hagar said Sunday that Posey started shooting in the parking lot of the grocery store, part of The Mall Shopping Center, armed with a 12-guage shotgun and a pistol.
Police said dozens of rounds were fired indiscriminately by Posey, who headed inside the store shooting at victims who were mostly female.
Five women and two men, with ages ranging from 20 to 65, were injured. Four remained in the hospital Sunday, including a woman in a critical condition.
When police arrived on the scene, Posey came back out of the Mad Butcher and shot at officers, injuring two.
Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, was later released from the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound.
After being treated for gunshot wounds sustained in his fight with police, Posey was later released from hospital.
A court date has not been set for the suspect yet, but he is listed as being held in the Ouachita County Jail on charges of capital murder and attempted capital murder.
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