Conway, Arkansas — A normal shift turned into a nightmare at the Walmart on Skyline Drive late Tuesday night when 32‑year‑old associate Jordanne Drinkwater was stabbed to death by a stranger in what police are calling a senseless act of violence. Drinkwater was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of officers and medical personnel.
Police say officers were dispatched just before 11 p.m. after a report that a man was attacking a female employee with a knife inside the store. When officers arrived within a minute, they found the suspect still armed and refusing to drop the blade. One officer fired a single round that missed the suspect and another used a Taser to subdue him. The suspect, 37‑year‑old Zeddrick Ross, was taken into custody and booked into the Faulkner County Detention Center.
Investigators have said Ross had brought the knife into the store and was not employed there. Preliminary findings show no known relationship between him and Drinkwater before the attack. Police have placed the involved officer on administrative leave, as is standard procedure.
Friends and coworkers have described Drinkwater as kind and generous. She was well liked among her peers, and her sudden loss has left a deep void in the small community. Those who knew her say she always had time for others and brought warmth to a routine workplace environment.
At this point, police have not publicly identified a motive. They are reviewing store surveillance footage and witness accounts as they try to piece together what led to the deadly encounter. Conway residents have expressed shock that such violence could erupt inside a busy store late at night.
Drinkwater’s family and friends are planning to hold a memorial service in her honor. They describe her as a devoted family member and friend who had so much life left to live. Coworkers say they are heartbroken and trying to support each other as they process what happened to someone they considered more than a colleague.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to come forward as the investigation continues. Police stress that though the attack appears to have been random, they are exploring every angle to ensure the community’s safety.
