The wounded included two law enforcement officers who exchanged fire with the shooter, state police said.
The shooting occurred about 11.30am on Friday at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a city of about 3200 people located about 100km south of the state capital Little Rock.
I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I'm in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this…— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) June 21, 2024
Neither the officers' nor the suspected shooter's injuries were life threatening. The remaining injuries ranged from not life-threatening to extremely critical.
Police did not immediately say whether the shooting occurred inside or outside the store. Police did not identify the suspected shooter or the victims, but said they expected to release more information Friday night.
Video posted on social media showed at least one person lying in the parking lot, while another captured multiple gunshots ringing out.
Images from reporters on the scene showed a slew of bullet holes in the grocery store's window, and spent shell casings strewn throughout the parking lot. In video footage, local and state agencies could be seen responding to the scene, with at least one medical helicopter landing nearby.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she had been briefed on the shooting."I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives," Sanders posted on X.
"My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this."
The White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and his team will continue to keep him updated.
