‘Never forget’: Jacksonville honors Dollar General shooting victims three years later

Family members, faith leaders and city officials gathered Wednesday evening at Kings Road Memorial Park to remember the three people killed in a racially motivated shooting at a nearby Dollar General three years ago on Aug. 26.

The candlelight ceremony, held steps from the store, honored Angela Carr, Jerrald Gallion, Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr and the nine who survived. The event’s theme was “We Remember. We Honor. We Unite.”

During Wednesday’s ceremony, family members and representatives came forward one at a time to light candles for each victim. A final candle was lit for survivors, some of whom are still struggling with the trauma of the shooting.

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, who represents the district, said several survivors planned to attend but could not bring themselves to return on the anniversary.

“And I got three calls to say, ‘Ms. Pittman, I really want to come, but I can’t, I’ve been locked up in my house since it happened,” Pittman said.

Pittman said the victims were killed by a white gunman while doing ordinary things in a place they should have been safe.

“No one should lose their lives because of racism, gun violence,” she said.

For Michelle Norris, Gallion’s cousin, the annual ceremony gives the community a chance to focus on the people the victims were before the shooting.

“Today coming together, it just lets us know that the community hasn’t forgotten,” Norris said. “That we’re coming together to honor their life and their legacy instead of the tragedy that actually happened.”

Norris remembered Gallion for his sense of humor, style and love for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“His smile. His joking. The way he dressed. How he loved them Jaguars,” Norris said. “He was just an all-around good guy.”

The Dollar General reopened months after the shooting. Outside the store, a ground memorial gives visitors a place to stop, reflect and remember the victims.

Norris said grief remains difficult, but she hopes the community continues to speak the victims’ names.

“Never forget. Never let their name go silent,” she said.

Organizers said they plan to gather at Kings Road Memorial Park each year around the anniversary to honor Carr, Gallion and Laguerre, support their families and survivors, and reaffirm the community’s opposition to hate and violence.