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Fort Smith Shelter Order After Shooting Shocks Festival Goers
23 Aug
Summary
- A shooting injured three people, leading to a 13-hour shelter-in-place order.
- Residents experienced fear and unease, especially children, due to the incident.
- The incident occurred during the opening of the Fireweed Festival, disrupting plans.
A shooting incident in Fort Smith, which injured three individuals, triggered a lengthy shelter-in-place order for the community of approximately 2,000 people. The order lasted over 13 hours, causing significant distress among residents, particularly children who were reminded of a previous shooting in 2022.
Mildred Martin, a resident, expressed the need for mental health support, highlighting the lasting impact of such events on community safety perceptions. She described securing her home and keeping her grandson occupied to manage his fear during the lockdown.
The shooting coincided with the opening of Fort Smith's Fireweed Festival, impacting attendees like Tawna Brown, who was camping in the area. Although the shelter-in-place order was lifted Saturday afternoon, an increased police presence remains as the investigation continues.
Despite the disruption, the Fireweed Festival is scheduled to proceed as planned for the remainder of the weekend, with authorities urging community members to remain vigilant.
