A Dollar General store in northeast Florida, where a racially motivated shooting resulted in the deaths of three Black individuals last summer, reopened on Friday. The reopening comes almost five months after the tragic incident on August 26. The victims, Jerrald Gallion, Anolt “A.J.” Laguerre Jr., and Angela Carr, are commemorated with memorials outside the store adorned with photos, flowers, and stuffed animals. The New Town Dollar General store in Jacksonville has installed a permanent plaque at the entrance with the inscription “#JacksonvilleStrong.”
Dollar General’s Divisional Vice President of Store Operations, Julie Martin, emphasized the importance of taking time to listen to feedback from employees and the community. She mentioned that the store underwent upgrades based on this feedback, and the reopening was approached with respect and thoughtfulness. The renewed store features a new look shaped by consultations with community members and local officials, offering customers a broader selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, pre-made salads, frozen vegetables, cold cuts, and milk.
However, the reopening has been emotionally challenging for the victims’ families, according to South Florida attorney Adam Finkel, who represents the estates and some family members. Last year, the families filed a lawsuit against Dollar General, citing lax security at the store as a factor in the tragedy. Finkel stressed that if the store was to reopen, it should do so with adequate safety measures. The lawsuit, filed in December, highlights a history of criminal incidents in the neighborhood surrounding the store.
The question of security measures at the newly reopened store was not addressed in the news release provided by Dollar General. The company did mention contributing $2.5 million to various charities and agencies in the Jacksonville area since the shooting. On August 26, 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter carried out the shooting, fatally shooting Angela Carr in her vehicle outside the store before entering and shooting Jerrald Gallion and Anolt “A.J.” Laguerre Jr. Palmeter, who expressed hatred toward Black people in writings found later, had alerted his family with a suicide note and racist writings before the attack.
