Arkansas

Three dead, 11 injured in mass shooting at south Arkansas grocery • Arkansas Advocate

Published

5 months ago

June 21, 2024

Three dead, 11 injured in mass shooting at south Arkansas grocery • Arkansas Advocate

A Friday morning shooting at a Fordyce, Arkansas, grocery store left three people dead and 11 wounded, including the suspect and two law enforcement officers, according to Arkansas State Police.

The suspect and the law enforcement officers are not considered to have life-threatening injuries, ASP Director Mike Hagar said at an afternoon press conference near the scene of the shooting.

The condition of the remaining victims range from non-life-threatening to “extremely critical,” Hagar said.

State Police later identified the suspected shooter as Travis “Joey” Posey. A booking record on the Ouachita County Sheriff’s jail website shows Travis Posey, 44, as being held for another county. Posey is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, according to inmate search site VINELink. ASP later confirmed that information in a press release.

A LinkedIn page lists Posey as the owner of Posey Tree Service in Kingsland in Cleveland County.

The shooting occurred about 11:30 a.m. at the Mad Butcher, part of a regional grocery chain, located at 920 W. 4th Street in a small shopping center. Fordyce (population 3,238 in 2022) is about an hour’s drive south of Little Rock in Dallas County.

Hagar did not release the identities of any of the dead or wounded nor of the shooter at the his 4 p.m. press conference, but said there was no continued threat to the community.

“It’s tragic, our hearts are broken,” he said.

KARK 4 News reporter Caitrin Assaf said she spoke to the parents of one of the victims who died. They told her their 23-year-old daughter, a nurse, was off work on Friday and likely was shopping when she was shot.

A video posted on Facebook by Casey D. Rodriguez from the vantage of a nearby gas station convenience store shows a person lying on the ground behind a vehicle; 11 shots can be heard along with sirens. Other online video and photos show storefront windows with dozens of bullet holes.

Another video shot from inside a store on X posted by user @LRHNcash shows a man with a long gun shooting methodically in different directions.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette interviewed Ronald Clayton, who said he and his wife were pulling into the Mad Butcher parking lot when something hit the windshield of his Nissan Sentra. He thought at first that it was a rock, then realized it as bullets, he told the newspaper. A photo accompanying the report show a car with about a dozen bullet holes in the right front fender and door.

In a post on X early Friday afternoon, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she was thankful for the “heroic actions” of law enforcement and other first responders and said her prayers were with the victims.

I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I’m in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this…
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) June 21, 2024
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Data on the Gun Violence Archive shows Friday’s mass shooting was the second this month in Arkansas and the sixth this year. A mass shooting, per the site, is one with a minimum of four victims, either wounded or killed, and excluding the shooter or shooters.

Anna Morshedi of Greater Little Rock Moms Demand Action and Insherah Qazi, a member of the Students Demand Action National Organizing Board from Arkansas, both issued statements about the shooting Friday afternoon, calling for action to stem the rash of gun violence in the United States.

“Our hearts are with those who were wounded and their families after today’s shooting — where yet another trip to the grocery store ended in tragedy because of America’s gun violence crisis,” Morshedi said. “We’re fed up with having to live in fear every day because our lawmakers refuse to put our safety first.”

“It’s heartbreaking to see such senseless violence continue to cycle throughout our communities. But this is what happens when our state lacks basic gun safety laws,” Qazi said. “Arkansas has the weakest gun laws in the country and our gun violence rates show for it. Going to the grocery store shouldn’t be a death sentence. The answer to solving this crisis is clear, it’s just a matter of whether lawmakers have the courage to act.”

The Arkansas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action are part of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Arkansas has the weakest gun laws of any state in the country, ranking 50th in the Everytown Gun Law Rankings.

Lawmakers in 2021 repealed an Arkansas law requiring a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public and in 2023 amended the law to clarify that concealed carry licensing is solely to allow reciprocity for licensees who travel to other states that require a permit to carry a concealed handgun. Act 777 also specifies that a person is not required to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun in Arkansas.

According to Everytown, Arkansas has the 9th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. In an average year, 638 people die by guns and another 1,247 people are wounded in Arkansas.

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Arkansas

Arkansas football vs Louisiana Tech: Scouting report, prediction for Week 13 game

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas football vs Louisiana Tech: Scouting report, prediction for Week 13 game

After three weeks standing on the verge of bowl eligibility, Arkansas football has its best opportunity to secure a spot in college football’s postseason this weekend against Louisiana Tech.

The Razorbacks (5-5) will host the Bulldogs (4-6) on Saturday (3 p.m., SECN+). Twenty players are projected to take part in Senior Day festivities as Arkansas closes out its home schedule in 2024.

The Hogs are coming off back-to-back losses inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium, most recently falling to Texas 20-10. Arkansas’ offense couldn’t muster enough production across the first two quarters as a comeback bid fell short against the Longhorns.

Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is coming off its biggest win of the season. The Bulldogs beat conference rival Western Kentucky 12-7, knocking the Hilltoppers out of first place in Conference USA.

Here are four things to watch and a score prediction for Saturday’s contest between Arkansas and Louisiana Tech.

Arkansas football must get off to a fast start

The best way to prevent an upset is to eliminate any hope. Arkansas didn’t do that against UAB in September, and the Razorbacks came out of the gates slow last year in this same spot against FIU. They eventually won both games, but the final scores were closer than desired.

“We’re trying to live up to the Arkansas standard, and that results in executing on the field. And if we don’t live up to that, then we’re going to see a similar slow start,” Arkansas offensive lineman Josh Braun said. “So that’s what we’re focused on this week, just starting fast and playing our brand of football.”

Take care of the football

This is arguably the biggest key for Arkansas every weekend. The Razorbacks are 0-5 when they lose the turnover battle this season, and two costly giveaways spoiled any chance at an upset last week against Texas.

Fortunately for Arkansas, Louisiana Tech ranks 111th in the country in turnover margin. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly two turnovers a game, so this might be an opportune matchup for the Hogs’ defense.

Control the running game on both sides

The Bulldogs have struggled on the ground all season, and they’ve won both games in which they rushed for more than 150 yards. By contrast, they are 2-6 when held under that mark.

Arkansas’ running defense has been strong throughout the year. Only two opponents have averaged more than 4 yards per carry, and the Razorbacks should be able to keep Louisiana Tech running backs Omiri Wiggins and Amani Givens in check.

On the flip side, Arkansas needs to commit to running the football early and stay vigilant with Ja’Quinden Jackson. Relying on the pass too heavily proved a mistake in the first half against Texas, and look for Bobby Petrino to adjust.

All eyes on Tru Edwards

Edwards, a senior wide receiver, is by far Louisiana Tech’s most dangerous weapon. He has four games this season with more than 100 yards receiving and leads the team with six touchdowns.

He’s a big-play threat who will require the full focus of the Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks’ secondary will try to maintain its momentum after holding Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Bond in check last week.

Prediction

Louisiana Tech is better than its record indicates, but there is still a gulf in talent between the two rosters. If Arkansas handles its own business and avoids sloppy turnovers, it should have no problem securing bowl eligibility Saturday. An upset loss would be unacceptable. Arkansas 38, Louisiana Tech 13.

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Arkansas

Calipari Faces at Arkansas He Must Learn He Will Never Defeat

Published

13 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Calipari Faces at Arkansas He Must Learn He Will Never Defeat

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A lot has been made of the poor a attendance at Arkansas Razorbacks basketball games this season.

However, while it’s been somewhat embarrassing at times, it’s not entirely on Razorbacks fans. It’s not anyone’s fault technically. It’s more of a case of a schedule having to be made hastily before there was an opportunity to get to know the nuances of The Natural State.

One thing that is hard for the people of Arkansas to realize without moving away for some extended period of time is how unique the especially close relationship with the local church and the commitment this state’s citizens have to it actually is.

Scheduling the rest of life around church as a non-negotiable is expected. Playing organized sports on Sundays is still still frowned upon in much of the state, as are hunting and fishing in some cases.

Church comes first, whether it be Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night or revival week. Youth league coaches can find themselves pariahs for scheduling practices on Wednesday nights for this very reason.

That’s why excessively low attendance for Wednesday night games shouldn’t be as shocking to those who live here as opposed to people looking from the outside in.

See, one of the biggest adjustments to living outside of Arkansas is the extreme lack of Wednesday night church services. Same goes for revivals.

They’re just not a thing throughout much of the rest of the country, even in states that claim to really be into God. It’s even hard to find legitimate Sunday night services.

At best, there will be a youth program parents use as an excuse for a quick date night. So, that’s why it’s not surprising a coaching staff that didn’t grow up here might think nothing of lining up games on Wednesday nights expecting to get decent weeknight crowds.

However, what happens instead is much smaller crowds that make Hogs fans look disinterested at best. That’s just not likely the case.

They’re interested. Just not until the devotional has been read, the sermon has been preached and the invitation has been sung.

As soon as they get in the parking lot, the first thing they do is turn on the radio and try to catch up with what they have missed. It might seem strange to those from other states, but the priorities are right.

It may look bad on TV, but God, family and then the Razorbacks is the correct order

It’s a minor mistake in scheduling that is easily forgiven and eventually rectified. After all, the seats are still sold out and there are more important things involved in life.

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• Does Petrino offense still work for Razorbacks? | 4th and 5

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Arkansas

Arkansas (AAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, Round 2 matchups, game times

Published

20 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas (AAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, Round 2 matchups, game times

The Arkansas high school football playoffs are on to Round 2, where several teams will start their postseason quest for a state championship after earning Round 1 byes.

The postseason in Class 2A through 7A plus the 8-man division started last week.

Bryant, Fayetteville, Bentonville and Conway are the 7A teams that will kick off their playoff run in Round 2 this week.

>>Arkansas high school football playoff brackets

Stick with High School on SI for all of the matchups, game times and scores throughout the 2024 Arkansas (AAA) football playoffs.

Here are the Arkansas high school football playoff brackets, with matchups and game times, plus second-round matchups:

Second-round matchups

Bryant vs. Cabot

7 p.m. Friday

Pulaski Academy vs. Fayetteville

7 p.m. Friday

Bentonville vs. Bentonville West

7 p.m. Friday

Rogers vs. Conway

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 7A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

El Dorado vs. Greenwood

7 p.m. Friday

Mountain Home vs. Catholic

7 p.m. Friday

Lake Hamilton vs. Benton

7 p.m. Friday

Shiloh Christian vs. Van Buren

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 6A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Valley View vs. Morrilton

7 p.m. Friday

Parkview vs. Maumelle

7 p.m. Friday

Robinson vs. Lakeside

7 p.m. Friday

Farmington vs. Camden Fairview

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 5A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Dardanelle vs. Prairie Grove

7 p.m. Friday

Arkadelphia vs. Gentry

7 p.m. Friday

Heber Springs vs. Southside

7 p.m. Friday

Monticello vs. Hamburg

7 p.m. Friday

Clinton vs. Mills University

7 p.m. Friday

Warren vs. Pocahontas

7 p.m. Friday

Elkins vs. Mena

7 p.m. Friday

Malvern vs. Highland

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 4A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Bismarck vs. Atkins

7 p.m. Friday

Osceola vs. Charleston

7 p.m. Friday

Fordyce vs. Jessieville

7 p.m. Friday

Booneville vs. Mayflower

7 p.m. Friday

Glen Rose vs. Dumas

7 p.m. Friday

Mansfield vs. Newport

7 p.m. Friday

Salem vs. Prescott

7 p.m. Friday

Rivercrest vs. Rison

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 3A high school football bracket

Second-round matchups

Murfreesboro vs. Mount Ida

7 p.m. Friday

East Poinsett County vs. Bigelow

7 p.m. Friday

Conway Christian vs. Des Arc

7 p.m. Friday

Carlisle vs. Junction City

7 p.m. Friday

2024 AAA Class 2A high school football bracket

2024 AAA 8-man high school football bracket

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— Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive | @sblivesports

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