Governor, lawmakers visit Fordyce one week after deadly shooting

Nine days after a shooting killed four people and injured at least 11 others in Fordyce, Gov. Sarah Sanders met with emergency responders, community members and laid flowers at a memorial to the victims.

Sanders began her visit Sunday with a visit to Beech Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she told reporters she spoke with members of the victims' families. Speaking afterward at a news conference outside the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, Sanders said she was reminded at that moment that “we have a God who makes us whole and brings us together.” .

Sanders said Fordyce is an example of a community coming together to heal.

“All the articles and reports you read are about unity and the people of Fordyce coming together and sticking together,” Sanders said. “I think it says a lot about what this community is really about.” »

Sanders then thanked law enforcement officers who responded to the shooting.

“They are truly life-saving heroes,” she said. “If it weren't for the actions of the people standing here next to me, I think we would have an even worse situation on our hands. »

Arkansas House Speaker Rep. Matthew Shepherd also offered remarks. He said all communities in south Arkansas have felt the loss, especially in his hometown of El Dorado. Shepherd said he was returning from Little Rock when the shooting happened.

“There was a response from across the region, I encountered a number of law enforcement officers heading toward Fordyce. And that's what we see so often with law enforcement, our firefighters, our first responders, they're heading toward danger.

Republican state Rep. Sonia Eubanks Barker represents District 96, which includes Fordyce. She also expressed her gratitude to the community.

“It’s so heartwarming to see people who still really care about their neighbors and other people like them,” Barker said.

State Sen. Matthew Stone, a Camden Republican, said Sanders' words reminded him of a quote from the Bible.

“What you meant evil, God meant good,” Stone quoted, referring to the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery.

“That day, bad things happened in that community of Fordyce. That was the shooter’s intent. But I know if we come together, stay strong and keep our faith in God, we’ll see what good comes out of this,” Stone said, adding that he’s already seen the community come together after the shooting.

The officials all said they would “continue to pray” for the Fordyce community.

Sanders and her husband, Bryan, also visited the memorial to the victims set up outside the parking lot of the Mad Butcher grocery store. The governor laid flowers at the memorial.