‘I just want to know why,’ plead family of nurse, 23, killed in Arkansas mass shooting that ‘ruined lives’ & left 3 dead

A FAMILY has been left to mourn the loss of their daughter after the 23-year-old nurse was killed in a mass shooting on Friday that left two others dead.

Helen Browning immediately checked on her daughter, Callie Weems, a nurse at the Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce, Arkansas , after hearing news of a shooting.

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Ouachita County Sheriff's Department

“I checked Callie’s location because good ol’ Live 360 and it showed she was at the hospital ,” Browning told local Fox affiliate KLRT-TV .

“I’m thinking, ‘She’s at work. She came in to help,’ There was… she was in town…”

But the silence from Callie scared the mother, who raced to the scene with her husband, Bruce Grice, where she learned the truth no parent wants to hear.

“My best friend was standing right there and I said, ‘Kristie, tell me my baby’s OK.’ and she said, ‘I can’t,’” said Browning.

“And that’s when I just broke.”

Callie was one of three people who were fatally shot while shopping at the Mad Butcher supermarket.

The nurse left behind her 10-month-old daughter, Ivy, and her family who say they can’t wrap their heads around it.

“I just want to know why Joey Posey woke up this morning and decided he needed to go ruin families’ lives,” said Browning, referring to the accused shooter, Travis Eugene “Joey” Posey, 44.

Posey was arrested after engaging in a shootout with Arkansas State Police that left him critically injured, however, he is expected to survive.

Callie’s family said their grief is even deeper as they were related to another of the three victims killed in the tragedy.

“Our niece’s dad was in there also and he’s no longer with us,” said Browning.

“So that’s a double whammy to our family .”

Now, Browning is learning to navigate the world without her daughter and is left to raise her granddaughter.

“Ivy was her saving grace just as she was mine,” she said.

“And now she gets to be mine too.”

TRAGEDY STRIKES

Authorities say Travis Posey opened fire at the grocery store shortly after 11:30 am, shooting 10 people and resulting in the deaths of three people.

Two of the victims have been identified as Callie Weems and 62-year-old grandmother Shirley Taylor.

A man, who Callie’s family said is related to her, was also killed, however, he hasn’t been identified at this time.

Witnesses say Posey shot out the grocery store’s front window before firing out a hail of bullets inside.

Two police officers were shot but they are expected to survive, said Arkansas State Police .

I just want to know why Joey Posey woke up this morning and decided he needed to go ruin families’ lives.

Helen Browning Mother of Callie Weems

Of the injured victims, police said their wounds range from “non-life threatening to extremely critical.”

Posey was “grazed in the head” after his shootout with police before being taken into custody, according to the Ouachita County Sheriff Department’s inmate archive.

He is facing three counts of capital murder with more charges expected to come, said officials.

The motive for the horrific crime is unclear at this time.

Posey is from New Edinburg, located just 12 miles from Fordyce, said officials.

Fordyce is a small town of just over 3,000 people – about 70 miles from Little Rock.

‘HEROIC ACTION’

In the wake of the shooting, several lawmakers have spoken out.

“I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a tweet .

“My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident,” she continued.

Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge called the shooting “devastating.”

“My sincerest prayers are with all of the victims and their families, our first responders , especially the injured law enforcement officers, and the entire Dallas County community affected by this needlessly tragic act of violence,” she said.

Senator John Boozman said he was heartbroken by the horrific violence in Fordyce,” and “grateful for the courage and bravery of law enforcement officers and first responders .”

The U.S. Sun has reached out to the Ouachita County and Dallas County Sheriff’s Departments, and Arkansas State Police for comment.

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