Jacksonville, August 28 (RHC)-- In Jacksonville, Florida, a gunman shot and killed three Black people over the weekend in a racist attack which the U.S. Justice Department is investigating as a hate crime. 

The three victims, who were killed in front of and inside a Dollar General store, were identified as 52-year-old Angela Michelle Carr, 19-year-old Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr. and 29-year-old Jerrald De’Shaun Gallion. 

The shooter was identified as Ryan Palmeter, a 21-year-old white man, who died by suicide after his rampage. 

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters told reporters:  “The shooter had authored several manifestos: one to his parents, one to the media and one to federal agents.  Portions of these manifestos detailed the shooter’s disgusting ideology of hate.  Plainly put, this shooting was racially motivated, and he hated Black people.”

The gunman had no criminal history and legally purchased the two weapons he used earlier this year: a Glock handgun and an AR-15-style rifle.  The guns had swastikas drawn on them. 

Before the attack, the shooter was seen at Edward Waters University, a historically Black college.  He drove away after a security guard saw him.

On Sunday, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at a vigil, where he was booed by the crowds.  One attendee shouted out, “Your policies caused this!”  DeSantis and Florida Republicans have imposed racist laws including rolling back diversity and inclusion policies and attacking African American studies.  DeSantis also opposes gun law reform.