Gunman Targets Black People, Kills 3 in Racially-Motivated Florida Shooting
Three people tragically lost their lives on Saturday after a racially motivated attack by a gunman at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Sheriff, T.K. Waters, stated that the shooter, a white man in his 20s, targeted black individuals and harbored a deep hatred toward them. After carrying out the attack, the shooter took his own life. Before his death, he left behind three manifestos filled with hateful ideology, outlining his motive for the attack.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. in close proximity to Edward Waters University, a historically black school. Students residing on campus were instructed to remain in their residence halls for safety. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan revealed that the gunman barricaded himself inside the Dollar General store after the shooting. It remains unclear whether the victims were shot inside or outside the store.
According to Sheriff Waters, the investigation indicates that the shooter acted alone and was armed with an AR-15 style rifle and a handgun, both of which he used during the attack. Disturbingly, swastikas were found painted on one of the guns. Special Agent Sherri Onks, in charge of the FBI’s Jacksonville office, confirmed that a federal civil rights investigation is underway and that they will pursue it as a hate crime.
Florida State Sen. Tracie Davis, representing Jacksonville, expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to seek answers from Sheriff Waters regarding the incident. Davis denounced the violence and emphasized that such acts are unacceptable within their communities.
This shooting occurred exactly five years after another shooting at a gaming tournament in downtown Jacksonville. That incident claimed the lives of two individuals. Sadly, shootings have been reported across the United States in the past couple of days, including Massachusetts and Oklahoma, disrupting normal activities like parades and high school football games. Authorities in Boston reported at least seven injuries during a shooting that interrupted a popular parade, while in Choctaw, Oklahoma, three people were shot, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old boy. Additionally, four people, including a 17-year-old, were killed in an apartment in Joppatowne, Maryland.
With the growing number of mass shootings in the United States, surpassing 470 so far this year, the Gun Violence Archive has noted that the country reached this number in July, the earliest it has been recorded since 2013. Urgent action and preventive measures are necessary to address this escalating issue that affects communities across the nation.
As authorities continue their investigations, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals from all backgrounds. The communities affected by these senseless acts of violence require support and unity during these challenging times.
