A recent shooting incident at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida has once again brought the issue of gun violence to the forefront of national conversation. While the incident occurred in Jacksonville, its impact goes beyond regional boundaries, reaching communities across the United States. The racist was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, and was wearing a tactical vest and blue latex gloves. The shooting reverberates around the country including Portland. It’s NAACP President James Posey commented on the shooting.
The mass shooting tragedy took place last Saturday, August 26. The Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida is not far from historic Black institution Edward Waters University. The victims of the racist shooting in Duval County were identified as Angela Michelle Carr, 52; Jerrald Gallion, 29; and Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr., 19. Details surrounding the shooting, including the motive and identity of the shooter are racial hate in nature. Authorities identified Ryan Christopher Palmeter as the gunman, described as a 21-year-old white male from Clay County – one of the counties that connects to Duval County.
The gunman reportedly used racial slurs, left behind a racist creed and drew swastikas on his firearm. A prayer vigil was held by District 10 Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman. The Sunday afternoon vigil was attended by Governor Ron DeSantis who is on the campaign trail to become the nominee of the Republican Party for president of the United States. He called the dead shooter a “scumbag.” Councilwoman Pittman represents the area where the shooting took place. She said, “It ain’t about parties today,” she said. “A bullet don’t know a party.”
DeSantis received a negative response from people in the audience. Boos and geers were loud during parts of his speech. He is on the hotseat for making statements and supporting policies some feel are meant to stoke racial fears among racist whites. Some feel that his rhetoric creates a climate where crazies go out and kill after being motivated to do so by politicians. While the shooting took place in Jacksonville, the repercussions of such a tragedy are felt far beyond the immediate vicinity.
In Portland, Oregon, where shooting are heavily in the news, residents are striving to create safe and inclusive communities. News of gun violence has a profound effect. Some are saying that it serves as a reminder that no city or community is immune to such violence, and it sparks conversations about the need for continued efforts to address gun violence.
Portland, Oregon’s NAACP branch President James Posey, during their meeting, said it is important to have young people to begin taking over so that we can begin getting fresher eyes on the racial issues that keep popping up. The Portland NAACP is preparing for it’s Freedom Fund Dinner in October and has put out a newsletter that has been posted on Jacksonville’s SCLC Facebook group page. That page is a premiere site for unfiltered news and information for Blacks in Jacksonville, Florida.
