In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory

With solemn hearts, we pause to remember the life forever changed — and the life impacted — by the tragic events surrounding the December 21, 2025 shooting at the Walnut Towers apartment complex in Winfield, Kansas. While authorities have confirmed that 29-year-old Joshua Paul Pourciau of Winfield, Kansas, has now been taken into custody following a traffic stop in Clinton, Arkansas, the focus today remains not on the arrest itself, but on the human cost of violence.

On February 26, 2026, deputies with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Arkansas State Police during what began as a routine traffic stop along U.S. Highway 65. That stop ultimately led to the apprehension of a suspect who had remained at large for weeks in connection to the Winfield shooting. For law enforcement, it marked a significant development in an ongoing investigation. For the community and those directly affected, it marked another chapter in a painful journey that began months earlier.

The December 21 shooting at Walnut Towers shattered a sense of peace in a place meant to be home — a place of comfort, security, and everyday life. In a matter of moments, lives were disrupted, families were shaken, and a community was forced to confront the harsh reality of violence.

We remember that behind every criminal case are real people — neighbors, loved ones, and families — whose lives are altered in ways that cannot be fully measured. The victim of the shooting, whose life and well-being were placed in jeopardy, carries a story that extends far beyond police reports and court documents. That story includes loved ones who waited anxiously for updates, friends who prayed for healing, and a community that hoped for justice.

The arrest of another individual, 31-year-old Rocky Leroy Brown, on January 4, 2026, on charges of attempted first-degree murder, signaled early progress in the investigation. Yet the weeks that followed were marked by uncertainty as authorities continued their search for Joshua Paul Pourciau, who was believed to be in Kansas, Arkansas, or Louisiana. For many, those weeks felt long and heavy.

Now, with Pourciau in custody, there may be a sense of relief that accountability is moving forward. But relief does not erase trauma. It does not undo fear experienced that night. It does not instantly restore a sense of normalcy to the residents of Walnut Towers or the broader Winfield community.

In moments like these, we are reminded of the fragility of safety and the importance of unity. Communities heal not only through legal proceedings but through compassion — by checking on neighbors, supporting those directly affected, and standing together in resilience.

Today, we hold space for the victim and their loved ones. We honor their strength. We acknowledge their pain. And we extend hope for continued healing — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Violence may leave scars, but it does not have the final word. Love, perseverance, and community endure.

As this case proceeds through the justice system, may we remember that behind every headline is a human heart. May we choose empathy over sensationalism. And may those most deeply affected find comfort, support, and renewed strength in the days ahead.

Forever mindful. Forever hopeful.