JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Disturbing surveillance camera footage captured the horrifying incident that unfolded at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, as a crazed gunman entered the establishment armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, ultimately claiming the lives of three innocent individuals in a racially motivated attack.
The assailant, identified as 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter, turned the gun on himself after the deadly assault on Saturday, August 26. Authorities have termed the incident a tragedy fueled by hate and have launched a federal civil rights investigation.
The victims of this horrific act have been identified as 52-year-old Angela Michelle Carr, 19-year-old Anolt Joseph 'AJ' Laguerre Jr, and 29-year-old Jarrald De'Shawn Gallion.
According to law enforcement, Palmeter left behind a manifesto that was described as the "diary of a madman." The manifesto, which contained disturbing racial hatred and animus, raised concerns among his parents who alerted the sheriff's office. Tragically, the alert came after Palmeter had already begun his assault.
Dollar General shooting video of fatal assault by Ryan Palmeter
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office revealed that Palmeter used an assault rifle adorned with Nazi swastikas during the attack on Saturday, August 26, before ending his own life. The department released video footage from surveillance cameras at the store.
Joe Biden reacts to Ryan Palmeter shooting spree
President Joe Biden weighed in on the tragedy, noting the eerie coincidence that the shooting occurred on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington.
He stated, "Even as we continue searching for answers, we must say clearly and forcefully that white supremacy has no place in America."
The president and first Lady expressed their condolences for the victims and their families, emphasizing that hate must be confronted and eradicated.
"We must refuse to live in a country where Black families going to the store or Black students going to school live in fear of being gunned down because of the color of their skin. Hate must have no safe harbor. Silence is complicity and we must not remain silent," Biden added.
Authorities have revealed that both the assault rifle and handgun used in the attack were obtained legally from firearms dealers Wild West Guns and Orange Park Gun and Pawn. Sheriff TK Waters confirmed that proper procedures were followed in these sales.
Ryan Palmeter history
In the midst of the heartbreak, it has been revealed that Palmeter had shown concerning behaviors in the past. He was reportedly involved in a 2016 domestic call, although no arrest was made. Additionally, he had been held under Florida's Baker Act in 2017, allowing involuntary detention and examination for up to 72 hours in a mental health hospital.
The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime by both local authorities and the FBI. The incident unfolded in the context of a deeply divided social landscape, prompting a renewed call for unity and the rejection of ideologies that promote hate and violence.
Sheriff Waters, who is Black, passionately expressed his condemnation of the attack during a news conference. "This shooting was racially motivated, and he hated Black people," he stated. "He wanted to kill n******."
Sheriff Waters also made it clear that the shooter was acting alone and there was no evidence to suggest he was part of a larger group, despite the presence of Nazi symbols on his weapon.
"This is a dark day in Jacksonville's history," the sheriff said. "Any loss of life is tragic, but the hate that motivated the shooter's killing spree adds an additional layer of heartbreak."
Ron DeSantis chimes in on Ryan Palmeter
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis denounced the assailant, labeling him a 'scumbag' and a 'coward' for taking his own life.
He said, "This shooting [was] based on the manifesto that they discovered from the scumbag who did this was racially motivated. He was targeting people based on their race. That is totally unacceptable."
DeSantis added, "This guy killed himself rather than face the music and accept responsibility for his actions. He took the coward's way out. We condemn what happened in the strongest possible terms. We send our condolences to the victims and their families."
