The owner of a Dollar General and a security contractor are being sued by the families of those who were shot and killed in the Jacksonville, Fla., store, reports the Associated Press.
On Aug. 26, Ryan Palmeter shot and killed Angela Carr, Jerrald Gallion, and A.J. Laguerre inside the Florida Dollar General store before turning the gun on himself. Investigators have said they believe the act was racially motivated. All three of the victims were black.
The families of the victims believe more security should have been in place at the Dollar General store, which is in a high-crime area, according to the lawsuit.
Both the store owner and security contractor are being sued for negligence.
Before arriving at the Dollar General store on Aug. 26, Palmeter, a former Dollar Tree employee, tried to enter the campus of a black college, Edward Waters University, and a Family Dollar. He was stopped by the presence of security guards at both places.
The lawsuit states that proper precautions had not been put in place at the Dollar General store “to again deter Palmeter from attacking and killing innocent persons.”
The lawyer representing the family of Angela Carr sent a letter to city officials, city councilmembers, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis demanding change, reports Jacksonville news radio station WOKV.
“The entire world turned its attention to Jacksonville,” the letter stated. “Vigils were held. Promises made. Funds were raised. It’s been over three months. Where is the help?”
In the wake of the shooting, Dollar General said it would donate more than $2.5 million to local organizations.
The company also said it planned to “fully remodel” the store prior to reopening it.
Dollar General did not respond to a request for comment in time for the publication of this story.
