JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Monday marks one year since the New Town Grand Park area was the target of a racially motivated mass shooting that took three innocent lives.
The three victims of the 2023 racially motivated mass shooting Jerrald Gallion, Angela Carr, and “AJ” Laguerre, Jr. were honored Sunday through a new memorial marker and a soil collection.
The memorial ceremony took place in a community that a year ago was terrorized and targeted by a gunman motivated by hate. It was held at Kings Road Memorial Park in the same place where the city approved a memorial marker.
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Action News Jax Shanila Kabir attended the ceremony where several community members said they are still grieving.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and many other speakers said this memorial was to ensure we remember the victims and survivors of that horrific day
“It’s been one year since we faced the stark reality of hate and violence. It is a moment we vowed to never forget the lives lost or the pain inflicted,” said Mayor Deegan.
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It happened at a Dollar General on Kings Road when the horrific deadly shooting ended by the suspect, 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter turning the gun on himself.
Councilmembers, the group 904ward and other organizations came together to put on this memorial service in honor and pay tribute to the victims’ lives. Dozens of community members also came out to support.
“We’re here to commemorate the lives that were stolen, stolen for one basic reason. Their lives were taken because of the color the skin,” said pastor John Allen.
Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman represents the district. She said this tragedy needs more than just remembering and focusing on the policy we need to ensure this does not happen again.
“The tragedy that happened was unacceptable and we should never accept that violence, the hurt and the tragedy the trauma which we all have felt,” said Councilwoman Pittman, District 10.
Action News Jax spoke to a few members of Mayor Deegan’s team who said this ceremony will be held annually. They add they are hopeful this new memorial will be a reminder that hatred, racism, and bigotry have no place in Jacksonville.
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