Arkansas mass shooting perpetrator given 4 life sentences plus 220 years

FORDYCE, Ark. — The man convicted of murdering four people and attempting to murder another 11 at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce last summer was sentenced Monday to four life sentences, plus 220 years, without the possibility of parole.

Travis Posey, 46, of New Edinburg, accused of opening fire in the parking lot and inside the store, entered a guilty plea last month after accepting a deal in which prosecutors removed the death penalty.

Accounts from Posey’s victims and their families dominated the 90-minute hearing. They described how his actions on June 21, 2024, had scarred and traumatized them and the town of Fordyce.

Posey’s motive, if he had one, was never detailed by the prosecution or defense teams prior to his guilty plea. Many of the 15 people who stood and spoke or submitted written statements to be read aloud demanded answers from the man who took their loved ones and left the community traumatized.

The victims described unimaginable grief, sleepless nights and a pervasive loss of safety in their daily lives as some of the lingering consequences of Posey’s actions. Some of the wounded said they are still healing from their injuries. Another said she became so depressed she had to be hospitalized.

Angela Atchley, the daughter of Shirley Kay Taylor, one of the four killed in the shooting, said in a written statement read aloud before the court that her mother never failed to make “sure we knew we were loved unconditionally.”

“Our lives were shattered that day,” Atchley wrote. “Mr. Posey, why won’t you tell us why? We deserve to know.”

Kacey Harbour was visibly angry, her voice shaking as she took to the stand. She identified herself as the cashier manning register 4 inside the Mad Butcher when Posey opened fire.

“You’re a cesspool, not a man,” Harbour said, before comparing him to bacteria and scum. She said she couldn’t forgive him, and likely never would.

Helen Browning-Grice, the mother of Callie Weems, another of the four killed, described her grief at losing her daughter, a nurse who died trying to attend to those wounded during the shooting, and of the agony of one day having to tell Weems’ baby daughter how her mother died.

“I cannot forgive you at this time,” Brown said, but added she hoped Posey found Jesus during his imprisonment.

Hanna Sturgis, the daughter of Roy Sturgis, said her father was a hard-working man who had always been her rock. Her father, she said, had been buying steak at the Mad Butcher for their weekly Sunday steak dinner when he was shot and killed. Now Roy Sturgis would not get to see his daughter walk down the aisle, or meet her “forever family,” his daughter added.

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

Tate Shrum, the son of Ellen Janie Shrum, said his mother was killed by a man she would have helped had he “just asked.”

Allysa Crutchfield, Ellen Janie Shrum’s granddaughter, said she would never get to experience the “bone-crushing hugs” of her “biggest cheerleader,” who would never get to watch her graduate from college. Posey, Crutchfield said, had scarred Fordyce with his act of violence.

“I want you to understand the profound ripple effect of your violence,” Crutchfield said.

Only one person said they had forgiven Posey — Jacqueline Curb.

“I had time to ask you not to shoot me, but you did,” she said.

But because of her faith and belief in second chances, Curb said, she forgave him.

Throughout it all, Posey did not speak, nor did he react. Most of the time he stared straight ahead or down at his lap, expressionless, only occasionally meeting the eyes of the people addressing him. He slouched in his seat until Browning-Grice demanded he sit up, which he did.

When asked by Judge Spencer Singleton of the 13th Circuit if he had anything to say once all the victims and their families had spoken, he shook his head and said, “No, sir.”