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Was Ron DeSantis booed by Jacksonville mourners? Florida governor's 'policies' blamed for Dollar General mass shooting

Ron DeSantis took to the podium but was met with overwhelming negativity from attendees, with one individual shouting, 'Your policies caused this!'

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: During a vigil held in Jacksonville for the victims of a racially motivated mass shooting at a Dollar General, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced strong backlash from the crowd, including boos and heckling on Sunday, August 27. 

The vigil was organized to honor three Black residents who were tragically killed in the shooting. DeSantis, 44, took to the podium but was met with overwhelming negativity from attendees with one individual shouting, "Your policies caused this!"

Was Florida Dollar General shooting racially motivated?

The shooting, which occurred just days before the vigil, was carried out by Ryan Palmeter, who used an AR-15 adorned with Nazi swastikas. His victims were Angela Michelle Carr, 52, Anolt Joseph 'AJ' Laguerre Jr, 19, and Jarrald De'Shawn Gallion, 29. The 21-year-old killed himself after the mass shooting.

Prior to DeSantis taking the stage, councilwoman Ju'Coby Pittman called for increased state funding, emphasizing the importance of financial support for the community. "Let's be honest, we don't get the money we should get. But when I ask for some money this week, we gonna get it."

She directed her message not only to DeSantis but also to other community leaders in attendance. Sheriff TK Waters, present at the vigil, had already characterized the shooting as racially motivated, emphasizing that such hate crimes need to be confronted directly.

The councilwoman added, "I'm proud of what you did yesterday. Because guess what, you called a spade a spade. We cannot continue to hide behind. We cannot have someone come from another county, and shoot up this community. It ain't no black-on-black crime. It's a hate crime," as per Daily Mail.

How did Ron DeSantis respond to the shooting? 

Pittman then addressed DeSantis, who was sitting in the crowd, ''Governor, I know you here. In order to make a difference, you gotta see it up close in personal." However, when DeSantis attempted to speak about his administration's response to the incident, his presence was met with boos and dissent from the crowd.

Despite the disruption, DeSantis attempted to communicate his administration's efforts, saying, "Councilwoman, I gotcha, don't worry about it. We've already been looking to identify funds to be able to help one, security at Edward Waters College. We are not going to allow these institutions to be targeted by people." 

The governor's speech was interrupted as the councilwoman attempted to quell the negativity from the audience, emphasizing, "It ain't about parties today. A bullet don't know a party." Pittman intervened, aiming to steer the conversation away from politics and towards unity in the face of tragedy.

DeSantis continued, "We're going to be announcing some stuff tomorrow morning which I think will help, not only with security, but also an attempt to help these families.. 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 that evil does not triumph in the state of Florida." 

Sheriff Waters expressed his astonishment at the shooter's lack of a criminal record, stating "There were no red flags." President Joe Biden also commented on the incident, noting that it occurred on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. "Even as we continue searching for answers, we must say clearly and forcefully that white supremacy has no place in America... Hate must have no safe harbor. Silence is complicity and we must not remain silent," Biden asserted.