DeSantis pledges $1 million for Jacksonville HBCU security, $100K for victims’ families

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – In the wake of a weekend Jacksonville shooting where the suspect allegedly intended to target Black people, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $1 million Monday for increased security at Edward Waters University.

“We are not going to allow our HBCUs to be targets for hateful scumbags,” DeSantis said in a statement.

“I’ve directed my administration to use every resource available to ensure the Edward Waters campus is safe following this shooting and to help the impacted families as they mourn their loved ones,” he said.

Edward Waters University is a private Christian historically Black college where law enforcement said the shooting suspect arrived at the university with a bulletproof vest but left when security arrived.

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said the suspect then went to a Dollar General where three people aged 52, 19 and 29 were killed Saturday.

The governor said $100,000 was awarded to help the families impacted by the shooting. The money will come from Volunteer Florida, which raises funds for volunteerism and national service.

DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began visiting the university campus Sunday and provided additional security during a vigil. FDLE has been scanning social media for any additional threats.

“His sickening ideology is not representative of the values of this Jacksonville community that we all love so much,” Waters said Sunday.

“We are not a community of hate. We stand united and with the good and decent people of this city. We reject this inexcusable violence,” he continued.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan attended an initial press conference following the shooting Saturday.

“When someone comes into our city and does this, we’re not going to stand for it, and we don’t accept it,” Deegan said. “So, we’re always going to fight against it.”