Jacksonville Sheriff identifies shooter behind Dollar General incident, racist manifesto found.
Tragic Shooting at Dollar General Store in Jacksonville
Police have identified the man responsible for a horrific shooting at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida. On August 26, Ryan Christopher Palmeter, a 21-year-old white man, opened fire at the store, killing three black individuals before taking his own life.
The Jacksonville Sheriff, T.K. Waters, provided updates on the racially-motivated attack and the victims involved. The victims were Angela Michelle Carr, 52, who was attacked in her car outside the store; A.J. Laguerre, a 19-year-old store employee; and Jerrald Gallion, 29, a customer.
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Despite Mr. Palmeter’s history of mental illness, he did not have a criminal record, allowing him to legally purchase the firearms used in the attack. The sheriff emphasized that background checks need improvement and urged people to report any concerning behavior they witness.
Timeline of Events
On the day of the shooting, Mr. Palmeter had been spotted by security officers at Edward Waters University, where he filmed himself wearing a bulletproof vest and mask. Shortly after, the first gunshots were reported at the Dollar General store.
Mr. Palmeter fired 11 rounds, killing Angela Carr in her vehicle outside the store. He then entered the store and fatally shot A.J. Laguerre as he tried to escape. Customers fled through the rear door, but Mr. Palmeter reentered when he saw a police officer searching for him.
Third Victim
Inside the store, Mr. Palmeter shot Jerrald Gallion, who had entered with his girlfriend. Mr. Gallion tragically lost his life, while his girlfriend managed to escape unharmed.
The shooter’s actions were captured by the store’s security camera, providing crucial evidence for the investigation. Mr. Palmeter later barricaded himself in the store’s office and sent a text to his father, instructing him to find his manifesto, will, and suicide note on his computer.
Responding officers entered the store and heard a single gunshot, believed to be Mr. Palmeter taking his own life. The suspect was confirmed dead by the SWAT team.
‘Diary of a Madman’
According to Sheriff Waters, Mr. Palmeter’s attack was racially motivated, as indicated by the contents of his manifestos. The sheriff described the writings as “the diary of a madman” and emphasized that the shooter acted alone.
Community and political leaders expressed their grief and outrage over the shooting. Dollar General offered condolences to the victims’ families and pledged support to the Jacksonville community. Representative Frederica Wilson called for action against racism and comprehensive gun control.
President Joe Biden acknowledged the shooting and called for a federal civil rights investigation into the incident. He emphasized the need to address hate crimes and domestic violent extremism.
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