DeSantis Directs Funds for Security and Victims’ Families After Racially-Motivated Shootings

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced an initial, immediate award of $1 million to bolster campus security at Edward Waters University in addition to an award of $100,000 to help the impacted families of the racially-motivated shooting in Jacksonville on Saturday where three people were killed.

"Following the horrific, racially-motivated murders near Edward Waters University on Saturday, I have directed Volunteer Florida to quickly provide $1 million to support campus security needs at the University, and $100,000 to help the families of the victims," said DeSantis at a press conference in Tallahassee this morning.

DeSantis attended a prayer vigil for the victims in Jacksonville last night and condemned the shooting.

The governor was met with heckling and boos from many in the audience while delivering a three minute address.

"You had a major league scumbag come from Clay County up here. What he did is totally unacceptable in the state of Florida," said DeSantis as many in the audience applauded. "We are not going to let people be targeted based on their race. We are going to stand up and we are going to do what we need to do to make sure evil does not triumph in the State of Florida."

DeSantis promised to improve safety at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Florida and said an announcement would be coming on that matter. Today, DeSantis announced an initial award of $1 Million for Campus Security at Edward Waters University, the historically Black college that the killer, Ryan Palmeter, initially targeted. Palmeter was asked to leave by a campus security guard and went to the nearby Dollar General where he shot and killed three people and also himself.

“We are not going to allow our HBCUs to be targets for hateful scumbags,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I’ve directed my administration to use every resource available to ensure the Edward Waters campus is safe following this shooting and to help the impacted families as they mourn their loved ones.”

According to the Governor's press office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began visiting the campus yesterday, providing additional security including during the vigil, and began monitoring social media for any additional threats.

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass is visiting with EWU President Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr. to begin the assessment of the campus’ security infrastructure.

Angela Michelle Carr, 52; Jerrald Gallion, 29; and Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr., 19 were killed by Palmeter at the Dollar General Store on Kings Road near Edward Waters University.