Daughter of Fordyce victim killed in shooting says he tried saving others, drove himself to hospital
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – We continue to learn more about those who were killed in the Mad Butcher mass shooting in Fordyce on Friday.
Roy Sturgis is remembered for his bravery and strength around the small town and now online and across national news, but tonight, for the first time, his daughter is sharing his story and the heroic actions he took that day.
Hanna Sturgis told KARK 4 in her first news interview that her dad was in his truck in the parking lot when the shots first started.
At that point, he went into the store to help victims, including their cousin Callie Weems. Weems also died following the shooting.
Victims killed in Fordyce mass shooting identified
Hanna said at that point, after her dad went inside, he was shot in the chest. He then drove himself to the hospital up the street. He died at the hospital that day.
Sturgis told our team that this selflessness is ultimately what cost her dad his life, but it is also what gets her through the grief today.
“He could’ve gotten away,” she said. “He had every chance to go, and he chose to go back in there. It’s actually brought a lot of closure knowing how strong he was to be able to do that. It’s made me a lot stronger too.”
Sturgis said she told herself she wouldn’t be able to come back to that grocery store, its parking lot, or even the road passing it. She initially planned to start going the long route when driving around town to avoid the sight of where her dad was shot.
That changed Sunday night thanks to the community’s prayer vigil. The parking lot was packed with people from the small town and neighboring areas, and with their support, she inched her way closer and was able to come to the former-crime scene and face the sight and the flowers and candles now left in memory of the victims.
Fordyce community honors victims in Friday shooting, holds candlelight vigil
Sturgis said aside from inspiration from her dad’s strength, the Fordyce community is what has helped her navigate the heartbreaking first few days following her dad’s tragic death.
If you’d like to help the Fordyce community and those impacted, you can visit any of the Fordyce Bank & Trust branches or mail donations to 200 W 4th Street Fordyce, Arkansas, 71742
Organizers said to add a note if you want to clarify if it is for all victims or a specific victim’s family.
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