Jacksonville Dollar General shooter ‘hated Black people’, police reveal – latest

11.40am – The gunman, who has yet to be identified, left his parents’ house in Clay County, Florida and headed to Jacksonville

1.18pm – The shooter’s father received a text from his son, telling him to check his computer. His parents then found several “manifestoes” written by the gunman for his parents, law enforcement, and the media, which showcased the shooter’s “disgusting ideology of hate,” according to Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters

1.53pm – His father called the Clay County Sheriff’s office, Sheriff Waters added, explaining, “By that time, [the shooter] had begun his shooting spree inside the Dollar General.”

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office posted photos of the gun used in the tragic shooting

One photo, shared on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, showed a close-up of the gun with at least two swastikas and illegible writing in white paint or marker on one side of the weapon.

This photo also revealed the type and brand of gun, as the weapon had “Palmetto State Armory” and “PA-15” engraved. Palmetto State Armory’s website describes PA-15 rifles as “our interpretation of the legendary AR-15 rifle that you have grown to love.”

Gun control advocate speaks out

The president of Brady United Against Gun Violence, Kris Brown tweeted in the wake of the shooting:

“Really? The NRA tweeted this just hours after a gunman used his swastika-ridden AR-15 — which is the weapon of choice for America’s mass shooters — to target and kill 3 Black people at a Dollar General in Jacksonville.”

NRA posts on X promoting AR-15 hours after Jacksonville shooting where gunman used assault rifle

March on Washington speakers addressed hate crimes as Jacksonville shooting occurred on the 60th anniversary of the historic march

Jonathan Greenblatt, Director of the Anti-Defamation League, also spoke about the prevalence of hate and racism in his speech at the March on Washington:

In 1963, we came here to this place alongside Dr. King and so many other leaders, to demand equal rights, justice and fair treatment to all.

Now today, we’ve come here once again to demand equal rights, justice and fair treatment to all.

Because we know – that hate still exists…

And the work of fighting hate — together — continues.

Jacksonville shooting occurred on the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington

Thousands gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Saturday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of MLK Jr delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech. Speakers took the opportunity to underscore the tragic fact that hate crimes occur way too frequently—as one happened on this historic day.

Actor and activist Sacha Baron Cohen also spoke, acknowledging the “surge in hate crimes” in the age of social media usage.

“We always have a choice. Today, the choices we make are more important than ever because the forces of hate have a new weapon that was not available in 1963—social media. These social media platforms deliberately amplify content that triggers outrage and fear, including fear of ‘the other.’”

“This technology gives an advantage to the intolerant. They’ve gone from Klan rallies to chat rooms, from marches to message boards. It’s how they spread their filth, recruit new members, and plan their attacks. And we’ve all seen the deadly results. A surge in hate crimes. The murder of religious and ethnic minorities.”

Later in his speech, he linked online hate to hate crimes:

“Hate in the virtual world kills in the real world. How many more people have to die?”

House Democrat Bill Pascrell points fingers at Republicans after assault rifle used in shooting

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the shooting

Recap: What happened at the Jacksonville shooting

Just after 1pm on Saturday an individual “outfitted with a tactical vest” entered the store armed with an AR-style rifle and a handgun. The shooter “killed three people before turning the gun on himself, taking his own life,” Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters said at a press conference.

There are two male victims and two female victims, he added, but didn’t identify them or the gunman.

“All of the deceased victims are Black,” he added.

Florida Congressman condemned the shooter — and Ron DeSantis

Florida Democratic Rep Maxwell Frost wrote on X: “A racist bigot walked into a store to murder Black people. A racist bigot felt comfortable enough to walk into a store to murder Black people. The far-right fascist movement, embraced by Gov @RonDeSantis, is murdering people.”