DeSantis denounces ‘coward’ Jacksonville shooter who allegedly targeted Black people

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a strong condemnation of a Saturday shooting at a Dollar General in Jacksonville where the suspect allegedly intended to target Black people.

DeSantis spoke with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters early Saturday evening.

“Able to speak with Sheriff T.K. Waters in Jacksonville about the horrific shooting that took place,” DeSantis said in a video. “This shooting, based on the manifesto that they’ve discovered from the scumbag that did, this – was racially motivated.”

Waters reported that the shooting was a “hate crime” with the suspect’s manifesto purportedly expressing the desire to kill Black people, using a slur to describe them.

“He was targeting people based on their race – that is totally unacceptable,” DeSantis continued. “This guy killed himself rather than face the music and accept responsibility for his actions.”

“He took the coward’s way out,” he said. “We condemn what happened in the strongest possible terms. We’ve offered support for Sheriff Waters in the city of Jacksonville, and we send our condolences to the victims and their families who were the victims of a very cowardly act.”

Waters also said that the suspect was a white, young adult male.

Multiple have been reported dead. The situation is developing.