JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: The three victims who lost their lives in the Florida Dollar General mass shooting are — Angela Michelle Carr, 52, Jerrald De’Shawn Gallion, 29, and Anolt Joseph Laguerre Jr, 19.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released the identified of three of the victims who died in gunman Ryan Palmeter’s shooting spree on Saturday, August 26.
The shooter, who has since been identified as Ryan Christopher Palmeter, is also dead, according to the authorities, reported CBS 47.
What was the motivation behind the Florida Dollar store murder?
Officials said the attack was a racially motivated one. All of the victims were Black - two males and one female.
Who is Ryan Palmeter?
Ryan Palmeter, a White man, shot dead three Black people on his mass murder spree that was fueled by his racial hatred.
CBS reports Palmeter bought a Glock on April 6 of 2023. On June 22, he bought the AR-15.
The Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters stated during a news conference that he purchased both guns legally.
The JSO sheriff further stated that at that time, there were no “flags” that could hint at a future attack.
On Saturday, Palmeter entered Edward Waters University where he originally went to change clothes. Then he arrived at the HBCU in a bulletproof vest in a gray SUV.
He began the shooting almost at 1.08 pm when an 11-round shot spotter was activated. According to the surveillance video, he fired 11 rounds into a black Kia and killed his first victim Angela Carr.
Then the shooter entered the Dollar General store and killed his second victim, the 19-year-old Anolt Laguerre Jr.
As multiple people ran out of the back door, Palmeter exited through the same door but re-entered almost immediately and shot multiple times at a security camera, which he missed.
Almost at that time, police received a call on 911.
Palmeter’s third victim Jerrald De’Shawn Gallion entered the store with his girlfriend and was killed by the Palmeter.
He further shot another witness Elvisha Chappel, but fortunately, she escaped through the back door. Palmeter was later taken down by the SWAT team.
Palmeter's father entered his bedroom by unlocking it with a screwdriver and found his will, testament, and suicide note.
What is the Baker Act?
The killer, Ryan Palmeter was said to have been held in custody under the Baker Act on July 6, 2017, said Sheriff Waters.
He was detained for 72 hours before he was released without further involuntary commitment.
Baker Act or The Florida Mental Health Act, "focuses on crisis services for individuals with mental illness, much like an emergency department is for individuals experiencing a medical emergency," per the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Calling the shooter a "madman," the sheriff said, "I urge us all not to look for sense in a senseless act of violence," before adding, "There's no reason or explanation that will ever account for the shooter's decisions and actions," per CBS.
