LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- People in the capital city said its weekends like this when four people died and three others were injured that put into perspective the issue of violence and the need to put it to an end.
“If you are out committing crimes, you out shooting at people, think 100 times before you do it because once that bullet leaves that chamber, there’s no coming back,” Arkansas Stop the Violence Founder Reverend Benny Johnson said.
The group gathered Sunday to honor people in the state who have made strides to end violence in their community and express their condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones over the weekend.
According to Johnson, he started Arkansas Stop the Violence after a senseless tragedy, much like the homicides that happened this weekend.
“It’s terrible, you know. We have people out there with just total disregard for life,” Johnson said.
Rev. Johnson says it all starts with teaching the importance that picking up a gun does not solve problems; only words and speaking with one another can.
“We are going to have to do much better than what we’re doing,” Johnson said.
Little Rock police investigating Saturday deadly shooting on Foster Street
Advertisement
Johnson recalled his days of playing football and something his coaches often said that there is no “I” in the word team.
Coach Tye Forte was among the honored. He was awarded Arkansas Stop the Violence Man of the Year.
“My two words are do right,” Forte said. “I’ll tell the kids, they do right, not do wrong, and it’ll be a better life for them and the community as well.”
Forte says it will take a team and the community as a collective whole to help stop violence.
LRPD make arrest in Saturday homicide on Adams Street
Advertisement
“Instead of talking, let’s teach and let’s lead by example, I think if we do that it will help the kids and will help the community as well,” Forte said.
Forte also says that change will come by preaching peace and stepping outside the walls of the church to continue the work.
“Losing somebody is, it is tough, and we want to do things to try to prevent those things from happening,” Forte said.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. was one of the speakers who spoke of Forte.
Pine Bluff PD: Child injured in drive-by shooting
Advertisement
“We continue to have leaders like Tye on the football fields, basketball courts, the classrooms, serving our youth and understanding a different way of life, so I just want to say thank you,” Scott said.
According to the mayor, the violent crime trend in Little Rock continues to decrease, but one thing remains the same.
“Unfortunately, when someone dies in Little Rock, nine times out of 10, they look like me and Tye,” Scott said.
Scott says it’s time to come together and help “our brothers and sisters” who are crime victims and prevent it.
Pine Bluff PD: 1 dead, 2 injured in Sunday morning shooting at Regional Park
Advertisement
“We have to push nonviolence on a daily basis through every community,” Johnson said.
Johnson said his heart goes out to each family who has lost a loved one to violence, especially those from this weekend’s events.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT – FOX16.com.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The suspect accused of killing four people in a mass shooting at an Arkansas grocery store has been sued by one of the women injured in the attack.
The lawsuit filed last week in state court is the first against Travis Eugene Posey, who was charged with four counts of capital murder and 11 counts of attempted capital murder in the June 21 shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas. Posey has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the shooting and is being held without bond.
Brittney Sullivent, who was shot and injured in the attack, and her husband Jeromy are seeking monetary damages to cover medical care, lost earnings and other expenses as a result of the shooting.
Posey has declared indigency and is being represented by public defenders in his criminal case. Gregg Parrish, the executive director of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, said his office could not represent Posey in the lawsuit since it was a civil matter.
Advertisement
According to the lawsuit, Sullivent was wounded in head and arm when Posey fired at her vehicle in the grocery store’s parking lot. Her injuries include hearing loss and permanent disfigurement and she faces ongoing medical procedures, the lawsuit said.
Prosecutors and police have not identified a motive for Posey, who is not scheduled to appear in court again until October.
Posey carried a 12-gauge shotgun, a pistol and a bandolier with dozens of extra shotgun rounds, authorities said. He fired most, if not all, of the rounds using the shotgun, opening fire at people in the parking lot before entering the store and firing “indiscriminately” at customers and employees, police said. Multiple gunshot victims were found inside the store and in the parking lot, police said.
Mourners gather for a candlelight vigil in the parking lot of the Mad Butcher grocery store in honor of the victims of a mass shooting in Fordyce, Ark., two days prior, June 23, 2024. Credit: AP/Colin Murphey
They are the high-profile players on the volleyball court. Often, they are seen jumping high with the arm fully cocked ready to spike a ball onto the opponent’s side of the court.
They are the outside hitters.
Who are the best high school outside hitters in Arkansas? Here’s is SBLive’s list of the top 25 outside hitters. Statistics are from the 2023 season and comments are from coaches when they nominated players for SBLive’s 2023 all-state team. The players are listed in alphabetical order.
Kaitlyn Austin, 5-7 junior, Marion
Advertisement
Austin had 199 kills, 26 assists, 12 blocks and 351 digs while earning all-conference honors and being named a AVCA phenom. “Kaitlyn played all 6 rotations this season. Last season (as a freshman) she started as our libero and had 468 digs. This year Kaitlyn played all the way around for us. She is just a smart player; her volleyball IQ is off the chart. She can put the ball in the hole and pull off and play great defense while on the front row. Kaitlyn is vocal and a leader on the court. When teams focused on our middles this season, Kaitlyn took care of business on the outside for us, she gave teams fits hitting line and hitting the 4 spot.”
Kellis Battles, 5-6 senior Little Rock Central
Battles earned all-state and all-state tournament honors with 267 kills and hit .269 with 43 aces and 24 digs. “She shined in every game and rose to the challenge every time it called. Kelis is an excellent player all around, never getting frustrated, always even keel, and just loves the game and her teammates. She is only 5-foot-6, but she always plays big,” said Little Rock Central head coach Markie Alberius.
Ava Beasley, 5-10 sophomore, Paragould
With middle blockers Mikayla Lambert and Dixie Williams sidelined with torn ACLs, Beasley stepped in as a freshman didn’t play like one said Paragould head coach Reed Fogleman. She finished the season with 450 kills while hitting .234 with 31 blocks, 294 assists and 347 digs. She earned all-state, all-state tournament honors and was named to the AVCA’s phenom watch list. “She sees the floor well and developed some different shots throughout the season to help her score around the numerous defenses and triple blocks that were thrown at her.
Advertisement
“To coach a player with the caliber of talent that Ava already has as a freshman is a privilege. She stepped up big for us in many games this season. Her work ethic, competitiveness, IQ of the game, and love for her team make her a special player that our program is fortunate to have. She’s going to be an exciting player to watch over the next three years.”
Chloe Blessing, 5-9 junior, Shiloh Christian
Blessing had 474 kills with a .232 hitting percentage, 21 assists, 29 blocks and 284 digs. “Chloe was thrown into a 6-rotation starting position and played a key role all season for us. She had to carry a heavy load for her first varsity season and played extremely well and didn’t look like a sophomore,” said Shiloh Christian head coach Nathan Bodenstein.
Ella Bryan, 5-8 senior, Fayetteville
Bryan was an all-conference selection and had 288 kills on the season. She had a season-high 16 in a 3-0 victory over Greenwood and in a 3-1 loss to Springdale Har-Ber.
Advertisement
Madison Crum, 5-9 senior, Greenbrier
Crum had 505 kills and 291 digs while earning all-state honors and committing to Missouri State. “Madison was our go-to hitter this year and carried that extremely well. Even with teams focusing on stopping her, she still notched 505 kills for the year. Beyond her stats, Madison brought out the best in her teammates and that is really what makes her such a valuable player,” said Greenbrier head coach Katie Huff.
Gabriela DuPree, senior, Fort Smith Smith Southside
DuPree, a 3-year starter, demonstrated she could play all roles for the Lady Mavericks, who reached the state semifinals. She led the team in kills (353), was second in aces (35), second in digs (340) and had 70 assists and 43 blocks.
Makenzie Freeman, 6-1 senior, Hackett
Advertisement
Freeman earned all-state and all-state tournament honors in leading the Lady Hornets to the Class 3A state finals. She led the Lady Hornets in aces with 102, had 421 kills while hitting .327 with 268 digs, 27 blocks and 49 assists. “When we needed a play, we always counted on Makenzie to get it done,” said Hackett head coach Bridget Freeman. “Although she has committed to play softball at Tulsa University and is an amazing pitcher, she is equally talented as a volleyball player.”
Michaelyn Freeman, 6-0 junior, Hackett
Freeman was promoted as a freshman for the district and state tournament. In her first, full-time season on the varsity level, she finished with 433 kills, 274 digs, 60 aces, 61 assists and 19 blocks. She earned all-state honors and was named to the all-tournament team at the Fort Smith Invitational. “This year, she has absolutely killed it out there as a sophomore. Michaelyn is one of the strongest and fastest athletes on the court at any time. She is a very explosive player who can put the ball down, puts up a huge block, and has great speed to track down a ball defensively,” said Hackett head coach Bridget Freeman.
Wren Jones, 5-11 junior outside hitter, Conway
Jones had 212 kills and 41 blocks for the Lady Cats, who reached the state finals a year ago. She had a season-high 18 kills in a 3-1 victory over Conway and had six blocks in a 3-0 victory over Springdale Har-Ber in the Class 6A quarterfinals.
Advertisement
Grace Klein, 5-7 senior outside hitter, Fort Smith Northside
Klein had 342 kills, 41 aces and 27 blocks for the Lady Grizzlies a year ago. She had a season-high 18 kills and 6 aces in a 3-1 victory over Alma and 3-2 loss to Bentonville. She had a season-high 4 blocks in a 3-1 loss to Fort Smith Southside. She had a season-high 32 digs in a 3-1 victory over Alma.
Isabella Lagemann, 5-8 senior, Benton
Lagemann, who was named MVP of the Class 5A state tournament, showed a variety of skills in helping the Lady Panthers win a second consecutive state title. She had 235 kills while hitting .268 with 54 aces, 239 digs, 237 assists and 68 blocks and has committed to playing at LSU.
Janyea Manning, 5-7 senior, Fort Smith Northside
Advertisement
Manning had 430 kills with 34 aces and 23 blocks for the Lady Grizzlies a year ago.
Lydia Matthews, junior, Mayflower
Matthews had 327 kills, 140 digs and 46 aces while earning all-conference honors for the Lady Eagles a year ago. She had a season-high 19 kills in a 3-1 loss to Conway Christian and a season-high 16 digs in a 3-2 victory over Arkadelphia. She had a season-high 8 aces in a 3-0 victory over Haskell Harmony Grove.
Aubrie McGhee, 5-8 junior, Van Buren
McGhee had 357 kills while hitting .242 with 195 digs and 30 aces.
Advertisement
Bree Pardy, 5-11 senior, Wynne
Pardy had 277 kills, 310 digs and 19 blocks while earning all-state, all-state tournament honors and making the AVCA Phenom watchlist. “Pardy was a go-to hitter for us this season, and a huge part of our defense and serve receive,” said Wynne head coach Codie Lancaster Ziegler. “She put up impressive stats despite being out for multiple games at the start of season due to injury. She came in clutch for us at some pivotal points this year and at the state tournament. We are expecting big things from her next year, too.
Ella PInches, 5-9 senior, Gravette
Pinches had 249 kills, 53 aces, 23 blocks, 216 digs for the Lady Lions who advances to the Class 4A semifinals a year ago. She had a season-high 22 kills in a 3-1 victory over Lincoln and a season-high 3 blocks in wins over Prairie Grove and Mena. She had a season-high 22 digs in a 3-1 loss to Farmington. She had a season-high 5 aces in a 3-0 victory over Seneca, Mo.
Evan Polsgrove, 5-9 senior, Brookland
Advertisement
Polsgrove had 355 kills, 35 aces and 259 digs, earning all-state and all-state tournament team honors. ”Evan leads us in kills most every match this season,” said Brookland head coach Nancy Rodriguez. “She is as good of a defender as she is a hitter.”
Ryan Rusher, 5-11 senior, Baptist Prep
Rusher earned all-conference and all-state tournament honors with 261 kills and a .238 hitting percentage. She had a season-high 13 kills in a 3-0 victory over Greenwood and in the state championship match. She had 54 aces with a season-high 6 in a 3-0 victory over Central Arkansas Christian. She had 240 digs, including a season-high 10 in the state championship and in a 1-1 tie against Russellville.
Margaret Addison Scott, 6-0 senior, Cabot
Scott had 213 kills, 77 blocks and 68 digs for the Lady Panthers, who reached the Class 6A semifinals. She had a season-high 12 kills in a pair of victories over Bryant. She had a season-high 7 blocks in a 3-2 victory over Bryant and 9 digs in a 3-1 victory over Bryant.
Advertisement
Avary Smith, 5-9 senior, Van Buren
Smith had 243 kills and 194 digs for the Lady Pointers.
Parker Stearns, 6-1 senior, Benton
Stearns had 243 kills and 47 blocks for the Lady Panthers, who won the Class 5A state championship while earning all-state and all-state tournament honors.
Ashlyn Tag, 5-10 senior, Prairie Grove
Advertisement
Tag had 252 kills, 95 digs and 25 blocks while earning all-state-tournament honors for the Lady Tigers.
Brooklyn Ware, 5-9 senior, Springdale Har-Ber
Ware had 288 kills, 206 digs and 43 aces for the Lady Wildcats who reached the Class 6A semifinals a year ago. Ware had a season-high 18 kills and 17 digs in a 3-0 victory over Fort Smith Northside. She had a season-high 4 aces in a 3-2 loss to Bentonville and a 2-0 victory over Greenwood.
Abby Wertz, 5-9 senior, Vilonia
Wertz spent time at outside hitter and defensive specialist and had 221 kills, 24 blocks and 37 aces while earning all-star honors.
Sept. 1, 2000: Thunderstorms arrived in Central Arkansas, putting an end to 105-degree heat and causing wind damage. A 72-mph wind gust was recorded at the North Little Rock airport.
Sept. 2, 1937: Remnants from a tropical storm brought moderate to heavy rainfall in north central parts of the state.
Sept. 3, 1899: Summer heat held on across the state with Conway recording 109.
Sept. 4, 1970: A tornado struck Russellville.
Advertisement
Sept. 5, 1899: A late summer heat wave brought temperatures of more than 100 over much of the state.
Sept. 6, 1988: Low temperatures across the state reached into the 40s.
Sept. 7, 1973: The remnants of Tropical Storm Delia caused flash flooding in the Little Rock area.
Sept. 8, 1930: The southwest Arkansas city of Hope recorded a high of 106.
Sept. 9, 1936: After 37 days without measurable rain, Little Rock finally got rainfall.
Advertisement
Sept. 10, 1954: Three months of steady 90-degree weather came to an end with a cold front that moved through the state.
Sept. 11, 1965: The remnants of Hurricane Betsy swept across Arkansas with 50-70-mph winds and up to 6 inches of rain in the northeast portion of the state. All except Northwest Arkansas got about 2 inches of rain.
Sept. 12, 1961: The remnants of Hurricane Carla brought storms to the state, including a minor tornado at Blanchard Springs.
Sept. 13, 1902: Unusually early freezing was recorded at Gravette and Harrison.
Sept. 14, 1977: One person was killed when a tornado hit Ponder’s Switch in Lawrence County.
Advertisement
Sept. 15, 1993: High temperatures ranged from 52 degrees at Fayetteville to 93 at Calion as a strong cold front moved across Arkansas.
Sept. 16, 1980: In what felt like a never-ending heat wave, Little Rock and several other stations across the state had highs of 100 degrees or more. For Little Rock it was its 47th and last 100-degree day of the year.
Sept. 17, 1900: Texarkana recorded 104 degrees.
Sept. 18, 1981: A cold front brought temperatures in the 40s across most of the state with some in the 30s across northern and western portions. Early freezes were recorded at Gravette, Mammoth Spring and Lead Hill.
Sept. 19, 1924: A tornado killed one person when it struck Hot Springs.
Advertisement
Sept. 20, 1990: Conway sustained extensive wind damage from severe thunderstorms.
Sept. 21, 1872: Three people were killed in Osceola by a tornado.
Sept. 22, 1925: A heat wave with widespread 100-degree temperatures in eastern and southern parts of the state came to an end.
Sept. 23, 1995: Winter temperatures came early with lows in the 30s to 40s and freezing weather at Gravette, Deer and Mountain View.
Sept. 24, 2005: The remnants of Hurricane Rita caused heavy rain and high winds and produced 15 tornadoes, primarily over Central and eastern Arkansas.
Advertisement
Sept. 25, 1832: Frost came early on the pumpkin at Little Rock.
Sept. 26, 1945: Over a two-day period, 9.3 inches of rain fell at Forester in Scott County.
Sept. 27, 1980: Over a two-day period, central and southwest portions of the state received from 6 to 11 inches of rain, breaking a drought.
Sept. 28, 1953: Temperatures reached 106 at Subiaco, Arkadelphia, Booneville and Paris.
Sept. 29, 1844: Fort Smith saw an early freeze with a low of 32 degrees.
Advertisement
Sept. 30, 1898: Moore in Faulkner County got 3 inches of rain bringing its total for the month to 21.95 inches.
Source: “On This Day in Arkansas History,” National Weather Service in Little Rock.
