Ryan Palmeter: Gunman who killed three in Florida shooting is named - as police say he 'hated black people'

In a tragic event in Florida described as “racially motivated,” a gunman took the lives of three black individuals before taking his own life. The shooter, identified as 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter, fatally shot Angela Michelle Carr, 52, near her vehicle outside a Dollar General store in Jacksonville. Inside the store, he then murdered AJ Laguerre, 19, and Gerrald Gallion, 29, as per the details shared by Sheriff T.K. Walters during a Sunday press conference.

Walters emphasized that the assailant had a specific motive to target black individuals. He stated, “Simply put, this shooting stemmed from racial prejudice and a deep-seated animosity towards black people.”

President Joe Biden, in his statement, remarked that the incident coincidentally fell on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. He stressed the importance of curbing such racially-driven violent acts, saying, “We can’t allow a country where black families and students are constantly in fear of violence simply due to their skin color.”

Details reveal that during his rampage, which occurred just before 2pm local time, Palmeter utilized a Glock handgun and an AR-15 style rifle marked with swastikas. Manifestos found at the scene, riddled with racial slurs, provide insights into his deep-rooted hatred for black people. Sheriff Walters clarified that there’s no evidence suggesting Palmeter’s actions were linked to any broader group.

Prior to the attack, Palmeter sent a text to his father, leading him to the written manifestos on his computer. The family promptly contacted the authorities, but by then the tragic events had already unfolded.

Sheriff Walters noted Palmeter’s troubled past, mentioning a 2016 domestic violence episode and a mandatory mental health evaluation in 2017. Meanwhile, Jacksonville’s Mayor Donna Deegan and City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman expressed their deep sorrow and frustration over the recurrent gun violence.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Sherri Onks from the Jacksonville FBI office stated that a civil rights investigation is underway, treating the incident as a hate crime. She emphasized the FBI’s commitment to combat hate crimes as they terrorize entire communities, not just individuals.

Edward Waters University, situated near the crime scene, ensured its students stayed within the dormitories, confirming no involvement of its students or staff in the incident.

The tragic episode evokes memories of a similar event from exactly five years ago when a shooter killed two individuals during a video game tournament in Jacksonville, later taking his own life.