While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was speaking during a prayer vigil on Sunday for the victims of a shooting in Jacksonville, a Democrat councilwoman jumped in to scold protesters from her own side of the aisle who were interrupting the event.
On Saturday, 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter shot and killed three people at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, before taking his own life. The three victims have been identified as 52-year-old Angela Carr, 19-year-old Anolt Laguerre Jr. and 29-year-old Jerrald De’Shaun Gallion. The shooter left behind manifestos that allegedly made it clear he was specifically targeting Black people.
A gunman in Jacksonville, Fla. killed three people in a dollar store and then himself in a murder-suicide. The sheriff says one of the shooter’s guns has a swastika on it. https://t.co/rz5Yt99Bik
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) August 27, 2023
The left was quick to capitalize on the racially motivated attack, using it to push their anti-gun agenda and stoke racial tensions. Meanwhile, DeSantis and other Floridians attended a prayer vigil for the victims in Jacksonville — where the Florida governor pledged to provide aid and assistance to the community.
“Councilwoman, I gotcha, don’t worry about it,” DeSantis told Democrat Councilmember Ju’Coby Pittman during the vigil. “We’ve already been looking to identify funds to be able to help one, make sure there’s adequate security for Edward Waters College. We are not going to allow these institutions to be targeted by people.”
While many applauded DeSantis for these comments, a small number of leftists booed and protested the Republican governor as he spoke. Surprisingly, Pittman stepped up to the microphone to address the agitators head-on.
“Let me tell — we putting parties aside, because it ain’t about parties today,” the Democrat councilwoman said. “A bullet don’t know a party. So, don’t get me started.”
“If the governor wanted to come here, and he bringing gifts to my community — y’all know I’m taking the gifts, because we’ve been through enough already,” Pittman added. “And I don’t want to go through no more. Now y’all be quiet just a minute and let the governor say what he gonna say.”
DeSantis then regained control of the event, discussing how his office had already identified state funds to increase security in the area and assist the victims’ families.
“We are not going to let people be targeted based on their race,” the Florida governor said. “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.”
He also pointed out that his administration previously worked to protect Jewish schools from anti-Semitic violence — noting that he would be doing the same thing to protect historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
