Ron DeSantis is savagely booed off the podium at vigil for three black people killed in Florida Dollar Store racist mass shooting – as one resident shouts: ‘Your policies caused this!’
Florida’s Ron DeSantis was brutally chased off stage during a vigil he attended for three black people who were killed at a Dollar Store in a racist mass shooting.
The governor, 44, was called out by city councilors before taking to the microphone himself and met with overwhelming negativity from the crowd — like a heckler yelling, “Your policies caused this!”
The vigil DeSantis spoke on took place Sunday next to the Dollar General, where three black residents were murdered by a gunman – who had no criminal record.
Ryan Palmer, 21, armed with an AR-15 covered in Nazi swastikas, shot and killed three people in a racially motivated attack in Jacksonville before turning the gun on himself a few days ago.
The victims were 52-year-old Angela Michelle Carr, 19-year-old Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr. and 29-year-old Jarrald De’Shawn Gallion.
The governor was called out by city councilors before he took the microphone himself and was met with overwhelming negativity — as a heckler yelled, “Your policies caused this!”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attends a prayer vigil a day after a white man armed with a high-powered rifle and handgun killed three black people at a Dollar General store
Councilman Ju’Coby Pittman called for better state funding before DeSantis took the stage: “Let’s face it, we’re not getting the money we should be getting.
“But if I ask for some money this week, we’ll get it.”
Pittman then looked to the community leaders in the audience, including Sheriff TK Waters, who called Saturday’s shooting racially motivated.
The councilor added: “I am proud of what you did yesterday. Because guess what, you called a shovel a shovel.
“We can’t keep hiding behind that. We cannot allow someone to come from another province and shoot down this community. It’s not a black-on-black crime. It’s a hate crime.’
Pittman then addressed DeSantis, who was in the crowd, “Governor, I know you here. To make a difference, you have to experience it up close.”
DeSantis went to the podium and began to speak, but his presence was met with boos.
He was harassed during the vigil, before the councilor stepped in to tame the mob
The vigil DeSantis spoke on took place Sunday next to the Dollar General, where three black residents were killed by a gunman — who had no criminal history
Palmer, wearing a tactical vest, shot 19-year-old Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr. and 29-year-old Jarrald De’Shawn Gallion dead in the store
Ryan Palmer, 21, is seen Saturday opening fire outside a Dollar General in Jacksonville
He said, “Counsellor, I understand, don’t worry about it. We’ve already looked for funds to help someone, security at Edward Waters College.
“We will not allow these institutions to be targeted by people…”
The government went into lockdown, while the councilor tried to silence the crowd’s negativity, saying, “It’s not about parties today. A bullet knows no party.’
DeSantis then continued, “We’re going to announce some things tomorrow morning that I think will help, not just with safety, but an effort to help these families.”
What he did was totally unacceptable in the state of Florida.
“We don’t allow people to be targeted based on their race. We’re going to stand up, and we’re going to do what we have to do to make sure evil doesn’t prevail in the state of Florida.”
Sheriff Waters said of the shooter, “There was no criminal record, nothing,” adding that the only thing on the file was a domestic violence call to his brother. “There were no red flags.”
Joe Biden noted that the shooting occurred on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, adding, “Even as we continue to search for answers, we must say clearly and firmly that white supremacy has no place in America.”
The president said he and his wife mourned the victims.
Victims Jerrald Gallion, 29, and Angela Michelle Carr
“Our country celebrated the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Saturday — a pivotal moment in our history and in our work for equal opportunity for all Americans,” he said in a statement.
“But this day of remembrance and remembrance ended with yet another American community wounded by an act of gun violence, allegedly fueled by hate-filled animosity and carried out with two firearms.”
He said one A federal civil rights investigation has been launched and officials are considering the shooting a possible hate crime and an act of domestic violent extremism.
“Even as we continue to search for answers, we must say clearly and forcefully that white supremacy has no place in America,” he said.
“We must refuse to live in a country where black families going to the store or black students going to school are afraid of being shot because of the color of their skin. Hate should not have a safe haven. Silence is complicity and we must not remain silent.’