Fordyce community honors victims of Friday shooting, holds candlelight vigil

FORDYCE, AR – This weekend, the residents of Fordyce showed us what it really means to be a community.

Within hours, hundreds of people gathered candles and showed up at the Mad Butcher grocery store for a candlelight vigil, honoring the victims of Friday's mass shooting.

“This community is hurting right now,” the event organizer said. “They need to see people willing to stand up and support them.”

A gunman opened fire at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce Friday morning, killing four people and injuring 10 others.

“It’s pretty amazing when you start hearing names, because I know everyone,” the organizer said.

Shirley Taylor, 62, Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81, died after being shot.

They were mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Sunday evening, the community paid tribute to them all.

There were words of sorrow, words of remembrance and words of encouragement that Fordyce will get through this.

“We must support each other, whatever happens, whatever the cost,” said a local preacher.

Candles bearing the victims' names will remain outside the Mad Butcher, honoring the lives lost and lives changed forever.