A mass shooting occurred at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, leaving a suspected gunman and at least three other individuals dead, as confirmed by city representatives on Saturday.
In a conversation with Newsweek, Jacksonville’s Councilman Rahman Johnson expressed the gravity of the incident, stating it was a heartbreaking event. Johnson, while at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, mentioned he was still awaiting comprehensive details from both the local police and the FBI. He said, “The pain is palpable. Several are anxiously waiting for updates about their family members.”
Jacksonville’s Mayor, Donna Deegan, and state Representative Angie Nixon were present at the location on Kings Road, engaging with officials, as per local news source News4JAX. Mayor Deegan mentioned to the press that multiple individuals lost their lives during the event and a man had been inside the Dollar General store, potentially barricaded. However, later reports confirmed the suspect’s demise.
Regarding the suspect’s identity and potential reasons for the act, Johnson shared with Newsweek there might be a written statement or “manifesto” left by the individual, although details remained sparse.
Data from the Gun Violence Archive highlights the recurring issue of mass shootings in the country, noting 471 such events this year alone. If the preliminary reports of the recent incident stand accurate, it would be the 472nd mass shooting this year. Addressing the frequency of these tragedies, Mayor Deegan remarked, “It’s deeply concerning. Even one incident is tragic, but the frequency of these mass events is truly devastating.”
In the aftermath, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office had helicopters patrolling the vicinity, and a SWAT unit was on the ground. Media reports indicated that the situation began around 1 p.m. ET, with emergency response teams starting to disperse by 4:15 p.m.
WJAX journalist Ben Ryan shared updates on X (previously Twitter), capturing visuals of the police and SWAT on Kings Road. Ryan conveyed that according to sources, three individuals were deceased and the alleged shooter was no longer alive. He added, “Mayor Deegan confirmed multiple fatalities from the incident at the Dollar General. Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing shots shortly after exiting the store.”
Mayor Deegan says several people are dead in a shooting at the Dollar General on Kings Road and the suspect is barricaded inside.
SWAT and police have been here for hours, a witness I spoke to told me he had just walked out of the store when he heard gunshots. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/R0LrKCalML
— Ben Ryan (@BenRyanANJax) August 26, 2023
