They’re suing the company for failing to provide adequate security in a “high crime area” and the shooter’s parents.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The families of the three victims who died in a racist mass shooting at a Dollar General in Jacksonville announced a wrongful death lawsuit at a press conference Tuesday.
52-year-old Angela Carr, 19-year-old AJ Laguerre, Jr. and 29-year-old Jerrald Gallion were shot and killed by 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter, who left behind a hate-filled manifesto, at the store in August.
Attorneys representing the families, including Ben Crump, Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel, joined them for a press conference at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel.
They’re suing Dollar General for failing to provide adequate security in a “high crime area” and Palmeter’s parents.
Crump said having security personnel on the premises would have prevented the shooting. He said the shooter went to a Family Dollar and Edward Waters University, where he was turned away by security guards, before going to the Dollar General on Kings Rd.
AJ Laguerre, Jr. worked at the store, and his older brother Quantavious Laguerre said he’s tired of hearing that his brother is in a better place. He wants his brother to be alive instead.
Quantavious said he hopes the company will change security protocols and save lives.
Angela Carr was outside the store dropping off an Uber passenger when she got shot. Her family said her death has shattered them, including 13 grandchildren; some who aren’t old enough to understand why she’s not coming back.
Jerrald Gallion was inside the store shopping when the shooter opened fire. His family says his daughter is without a father now.
Attorneys say the Dollar General shooting appears to be a copycat of the shooting at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo.
The shooter lived with his parents Maryann and Stephen Palmeter, who are accused of knowing about his struggle with alcoholism and mental health issues and not taking action to protect the general public from their son.
Evidence released Monday showed photos of the shooter’s room, littered with liquor bottles and prescription medication bottles and books, including “The Christian and His Machine Gun.”
Crump and Haggard said it’s unclear how much the shooter’s parents knew, but the goal of the lawsuit is to find out and get justice.
