A week after the terrible shooting, the Fordyce community reflects

Fordyce, Arkansas – A week after the sole grocery store in the town was the scene of a mass shooting that left four people dead and ten injured, the already close-knit community of Fordyce is even closer.

Although it has been a challenging week in Fordyce, the community has united to support one another. They have demonstrated their support through food freebies and fundraisers, and they have promised to keep doing so in the upcoming days, weeks, and months.

“There are good people left in this world, and we can all come together, and we can make something big out of nothing,” Food pantry volunteer Joyce Tillery said.

Since the fatal incident, Tillery has been pursuing this objective. She has been volunteering at food banks for the entire week.

“Donations have come in from everywhere,” Tillery said. “Mad Butcher has been extremely big in what they have done, giving back to this community.”

Both Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl and Fordyce Police Chief Chad Hubanks expressed pride in it.

“Everybody’s working together to make sure the victims’ families are taken care of and honoring the victims this week,” Knoedl said.
One thing that stuck out to Hubanks and Knoedl was Sunday’s prayer vigil for the victims.

“I had no idea that many people would come together so quickly in such a short time,” Hubanks said. “I was told that there were over 400 candles that were given out almost immediately, and they didn’t have enough for everybody. It was overwhelming to see that many people.”

They declared that their priorities include progressing and promoting communal healing.

“It’s already begun, but we’ve got a long way to go,” Knoedl said.

According to Tillery, it all comes down to neighbors supporting one another through hardship.

“Just because it was a meanness in this world, it’s a part of what this world is that we don’t have to stand for, that we can stand with each other,” Tillery said. “Let god lead us through this time.”

The Mad Butcher grocery store has declared that it will reopen on July 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, so it won’t be long before it does.

“We will be reopening our doors beginning Tuesday, July 2nd at 9:00 AM,” The Mad Butcher said on Facebook. “Initially, we will operate with limited hours until further notice. Our commitment to serving the Fordyce community remains strong as we continue to heal together.”