Prior to a tragic shooting at a Dollar General store in Florida, a white gunman attempted to enter a historically Black college campus. However, he was denied entry by a security officer after refusing to identify himself, according to a statement from Edward Waters University. Eventually, the man left and drove to the Dollar General store, less than a mile away, where he carried out a racially motivated attack, as reported by CNN. This disturbing incident highlights the need for further action against hate crimes. The sheriff noted that the gunman may have visited the college to change clothes before committing the heinous act, as reported in The Washington Post.
The victims of this senseless act of violence have been identified as Angela Michelle Carr, 52, who was shot in her car, AJ Laguerre, 19, a store employee who was shot while attempting to escape, and Jerrald Gallion, 29, a customer who was shot upon entering the store. The gunman, Ryan Palmeter, seemed to have acted alone and did not have any personal connection to his victims, according to Sheriff TK Waters. The guns used in the shooting had disturbing swastikas drawn on them. It is deeply troubling that the gunman obtained these weapons legally, despite having no criminal record. Tragically, the gunman also took his own life.
Latasha Hobbs, who lost her son to gun violence, expressed her grief and called for an end to these tragedies, stating “Jacksonville is bleeding. We’re hurting… This has to stop.” The Reverend Willie Barnes, speaking at a service held at St. Paul AME Church, expressed the broken hearts of the community and their struggle to contain their anger. Officials have attributed hateful political rhetoric to the rise in hate crimes, emphasizing the need for change. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, moved to tears, denounced the violence, calling it more than just a political game, as reported in WJXT.
Democratic state Representative Angie Nixon addressed the congregation, stating that the violence was not only racially motivated but an act of racist violence that stems from rhetoric and policies designed to target Black people. She urged the community to take action against the erasure and devaluation of Black lives. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has faced criticism for his policies, condemned the slayings and emphasized that targeting individuals based on their race has no place in the state of Florida, as mentioned in a press conference in Tallahassee. It is imperative that we address the underlying issues that fuel such horrific acts of violence. (Read more mass shootings stories.)
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