JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Through sources and neighbors, Action News Jax has established the identity as 21-year-old Oakleaf resident Ryan Palmeter, for the devastating racially motivated mass shooting that occurred on the afternoon of August 26 at a Newtown Dollar General.
Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters shared that the shooter's parents had previously contacted the Clay County Sheriff's Office earlier on that day, notifying them that their son had left behind a manifesto.
Who were the victims of the Dollar General mass shooting?
Sheriff Waters revealed that the victims of the Jacksonville shooter were all of Black ethnicity.
Furthermore, Waters emphasized that the shooter's extensive collection of manifestos, coupled with the presence of swastikas engraved on his AR-15-style rifle, left no room for doubt—his violent spree was unequivocally driven by racial motivations.
In the words of Waters, "This shooting was racially motivated and he hated Black people.”
How many were killed in the Dollar Store mass shooting?
According to CBS News, three people were killed in the Dollar Store mass shooting.
Patty Grisby, a neighbor who wasn't acquainted with Palmeter, was taken aback upon discovering that he lived just a few houses away. The news was particularly unsettling for her, as her children frequently engage in activities around the neighborhood.
She expressed her concerns, stating, "I mean they ride their bikes. They play outside. I mean, it’s just really scary. I mean I really have goosebumps just thinking about… It’s right here in our neighborhood. A quiet little street."
Residing across the street from Palmeter's residence, Sabina Escalada shared her perception of him. To her, he came across as a typical teenager, occasionally exhibiting signs of unhappiness or a preference for solitude.
Although she didn't know Palmeter well, Escalada mentioned having a positive rapport with his parents. Recognizing the distressing situation, she empathetically remarked, "It’s hard thinking about your own child doing something like that and you feel for the family."
Was Dollar General mass shooting similar to Jacksonville landing shooting?
Mayor Donna Deegan shared that the shooter's manifestos explicitly indicated his awareness that August 26 marked the fifth anniversary of the Jacksonville Landing shooting.
Additionally, Waters mentioned that the shooter had been subjected to a Baker Act in 2017, and his involvement in a domestic incident was noted in 2016.
However, the sheriff clarified that while the shooter lacked a criminal record, the legality of his firearm acquisition remained uncertain.
Waters commented, “I can’t say that he owned them, but his parents didn’t. His parents didn’t want them in the house.”
