DeSantis faced boos at Jacksonville shooting prayer vigil.
Gov. Ron DeSantis Faces Boos at Prayer Vigil for Jacksonville Shooting Victims
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) faced a tumultuous reception at a prayer vigil held in honor of the victims of the recent racially motivated Jacksonville shooting. Despite his intentions to offer condolences and support, the crowd’s reaction was far from welcoming.
According to the Associated Press and various videos captured by attendees, DeSantis was met with boos and jeers as he took the stage to deliver his remarks.
A Call for Unity
Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, who spoke prior to DeSantis, pleaded with the crowd to quiet down and listen to the governor’s message. She emphasized that this was not a time for political divisions, stating, “It ain’t about parties today. A bullet doesn’t know a party.”
Fighting Back Against Hate
Undeterred by the negative reception, DeSantis addressed the crowd, promising that the state would take action to prevent future tragedies. He announced that funding would be allocated to enhance security at Edward Waters University, a historically black college near the shooting site, and to provide assistance to the families affected by the attack. In no uncertain terms, DeSantis condemned the shooter, labeling him a “major league scumbag.”
“What he did is totally unacceptable in the state of Florida,” DeSantis declared. “We are not going to let people be targeted based on their race.”
A Community in Mourning
The prayer vigil took place just a block away from the Jacksonville Dollar General, situated in a predominantly black neighborhood. Authorities revealed that the suspect, Ryan Palmeter, 21, opened fire on Saturday using legally purchased firearms—an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and a Glock handgun. Shockingly, despite a past involuntary commitment for a mental health examination in 2017, Palmeter was able to obtain these weapons as the incident did not appear on his background checks.
Sheriff T.K. Waters disclosed that Palmeter left behind a manifesto filled with white supremacist writings, describing it as the “diary of a madman” and expressing his hatred towards black people.
A Tragic Loss
The victims of this senseless act of violence were identified as Angela Michelle Carr, 52, who was shot in her car; A.J. Laguerre, 19, an employee of the store who was shot while attempting to flee; and Jerrald Gallion, 29, who was shot as he entered the store. Palmeter took his own life as the police arrived at the scene.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Gov. Ron DeSantis for comment.
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