Tragedy struck in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday as three individuals were fatally shot in a Dollar General store in an incident that authorities have labeled as racially motivated. At a press conference that evening, Sheriff T.K. Waters of Jacksonville stated that the shooter passed away following a self-inflicted gunshot.
“Plainly put, this shooting was racially motivated and he hated Black people,” Waters said regarding the shooter.
Waters also conveyed that the suspect’s writings exposed a “disgusting ideology of hatred,” and it’s noteworthy that all three victims were Black.
The victims were officially identified as Angela Michelle Carr (52 years old), Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr. (19 years old), and Jerrald Gallion (29 years old).
Law enforcement authorities have disclosed that Ryan Christopher Palmeter, a 21-year-old, purchased a handgun in April followed by an AR-15-style rifle in June. It is believed that Palmeter resided in Clay County alongside his parents and had sent a text message to his father before the shooting occurred. The gunman displayed racist symbols on his weapon and was said to be sharing racial slurs on the scene of the hate crime. He was found wearing a tactical vest and blue latex gloves.
Updates on Jacksonville, Florida, shooting:
– Authorities identify suspect of racist Jacksonville shooting as 21-year-old Ryan Christopher Palmeter
– Two men and one woman were killed in the shooting before the shooter killed himself.
– The victims are 52-year-old Angela… pic.twitter.com/02V0zT9CqZ— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 27, 2023
“This is a dark day in Jacksonville’s history,” Sheriff Waters shared when addressing media. “As a member of this Jacksonville community, I am sickened by this cowardly shooter’s personal ideology of hate.”
