On August 26, 2023, a racially motivated mass shooting occurred at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida. The perpetrator, a 21-year-old white man named Ryan Christopher Palmeter, targeted and killed three Black individuals before taking his own life. The victims were identified as Angela Michelle Carr, A.J. Laguerre, and Jerrald Gallion.
Palmeter legally obtained firearms, an AR-15-style rifle in June and a Glock handgun in April, despite having a history of involuntary mental health commitment. This raised concerns about firearm access for individuals with a history of mental health issues. The AR-15 rifle and the Glock handgun used in the attack had swastikas on them, and the assailant left racist writings and manifestos expressing deep-seated hatred for Black people.
Before the shooting, Palmeter stopped at Edward Waters University, a historically Black college, where he donned a tactical vest and mask. He then headed to the Dollar General store, where he carried out the attack.
Officials, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, and President Joe Biden, condemned the racially motivated attack and expressed solidarity against racial targeting. Calls for gun control and confronting racism and hate were made by various officials.
Manifest
The Jacksonville shooter’s manifesto included his views on the Black race, deep-seated racial animosity, and his plans for the attack. It detailed his hatred for Black people and was part of the evidence that led authorities to conclude that the shooting was racially motivated. The shooter, identified as Ryan Christopher Palmeter, had composed a 20-page document outlining these views and plans. Additionally, the shooter had swastikas marked on his firearms, indicating a possible alignment with white supremacist ideologies.
This incident is part of a larger trend of racially motivated attacks and mass shootings in the United States. It draws parallels to previous incidents, such as the Buffalo shooting where a white supremacist targeted and killed 10 Black people. It also coincided with the anniversary of “Ax Handle Saturday,” a violent incident involving the Ku Klux Klan attacking Black protesters in Jacksonville.
The tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges related to gun violence, racial tensions, and the need for reform in various areas, including gun control, mental health services, and combating racism.
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