Gunman kills three, himself in racially motivated taking pictures in Florida

A white man armed with a high-powered rifle and a handgun killed three Black folks at a Dollar General retailer in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, earlier than taking pictures himself, in what native regulation enforcement described as a racially motivated crime.

“This shooting was racially motivated, and he hated Black people,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.Okay. Waters advised a press convention.

The suspect, whom Waters described as a white male sporting a tactical vest, was not recognized. Waters stated all three victims – two males and a girl – have been Black.

Waters stated authorities believed the shooter acted alone, and that earlier than the taking pictures he had authored “several manifestos” for media, his dad and mom and regulation enforcement detailing his hatred for Black folks.

Waters described his weapons as a Glock and an “AR-15 style” rifle, with swastikas on it, referring to a light-weight semi-automatic lengthy gun typically utilized in mass shootings.

“The hate that motivated the shooter’s killing spree adds an additional layer of heartbreak,” Waters stated.

He stated the shooter was noticed at an area traditionally Black school, Edward Waters University, the place he placed on his vest and a masks earlier than going to the native department of the Dollar General, a reduction chain with shops throughout the United States.

Sherri Onks, particular agent in control of the Jacksonville FBI workplace, stated federal officers had opened a civil rights investigation and would pursue the incident as a hate crime.

“Hate crimes are always and will always remain a top priority for the FBI because they are not only an attack on a victim, they’re also meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community,” Onks stated.

Published On:

Aug 27, 2023