Governor Ron DeSantis has condemned a racially-motivated shooting that happened in Jacksonville tonight.
"I was able to speak with Sheriff T.K. Waters in Jacksonville about the horrific shooting that took place," said DeSantis earlier this evening. "The shooting based on the manifesto that they discovered from the scumbag that did this, was racially motivated. He was targeting people based on their race. That is totally unacceptable."
‼️JUST IN: Governor DeSantis condemns the racially motivated murders in Jacksonville and offers his full support!
pic.twitter.com/J0skRpyZxp— Chris Nelson 🇺🇸 🏝 (@ReOpenChris) August 27, 2023
According to reports, a man walked into a Jacksonville Dollar General store earlier this afternoon and murdered three people using a handgun and an "AR-15-style rifle".
“This shooting was racially motivated and he hated Black people,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters told the press earlier today.
Waters described the shooter as a White man in his 20s. Walters said a manifesto had been found written by the shooter expressing hatred toward Black people. It is also reported that the perpetrator had a history of mental health problems.
According to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, the gunman barricaded himself in a Jacksonville Dollar General Store after killing three people, all African-American, before killing himself.
"This guy killed himself rather than face the music and accept responsibility for his actions and so he took the cowards way out," said DeSantis. "We condemn what happened in the strongest possible terms. We've offered support for Sheriff Waters and the City of Jacksonville. We send our condolences to the victims and their families who were the victims of a very cowardly act."
"The news out of JAX today is horrific," posted Republican Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. "There is absolutely no place for this kind of hate in our state. Details coming out about the shooters race-based, hate-filled manifestos are very troubling. I have spoken with Sheriff Waters to offer any support the Senate can provide."
The news out of JAX today is horrific. There is absolutely no place for this kind of hate in our state. Details coming out about the shooters race-based, hate-filled manifestos are very troubling. I have spoken with Sheriff Waters to offer any support the Senate can provide.
— Kathleen Passidomo (@Kathleen4SWFL) August 27, 2023
"We are devastated as a city and our hearts and prayers are with the victims families," posted Republican State Representative Kiyan Michael. "We are not a city of hate. We will heal together and come through this as a city set on a hill. Thank you for your prayers."
We are devastated as a city and our hearts and prayers are with the victims families. We are not a city of hate. We will heal together and come through this as a city set on a hill. Thank you for your prayers🙏🏾
— Kiyan Michael (@kiyanforfl) August 27, 2023
Democrat State Representative Angie Nixon seems to blame the shooting on the educational curriculum in Florida regarding slavery and the removal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
"When you say things like “Black People benefited from slavery,” that causes folks to devalue Black Lives," posted Dixon. "When you eliminate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs, that allows racism and bigotry to proliferate and go uncheck."
When you say things like “Black People benefited from slavery,” that causes folks to devalue Black Lives. When you eliminate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs, that allows racism and bigotry to proliferate and go uncheck.
— State Rep. Angie Nixon (@AngieNixon) August 27, 2023
"This is the very reason why @NAACP said that Florida is not safe for Black people — because it's not!" posted Democrat State Senator Shevrin Jones.
This is the very reason why @NAACP said that Florida is not safe for Black people — because it's not!
— Shevrin “Shev” Jones (@ShevrinJones) August 26, 2023
Jones shared DeSantis's statement adding "Not just any race, it was BLACK people."
