Many stopped at the memorial at the Dollar General on Juneteenth to remember those who were killed in the 2023 mass shooting.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A dedicated group gathered at the Jacksonville Dollar General on Kings Street on Thursday to remember and pray for the victims who perished in the tragic mass shooting that occurred there nearly two years ago.
The vigil was dedicated to recognizing the tragedy and the hardships the Black community has faced while celebrating Juneteenth.
“People have been advocating for this holiday for many years,” remarked Rev. Jeffrey Dove of St. James AME Church to First Coast News. “It’s only fitting that we continue to honor it.”
Though the federal holiday celebrates the end of slavery, church leaders utilized visuals to illustrate the ongoing racial tensions today, highlighting the cases of Angela Carr, A.J. Laguerre Jr., and Jerrald Gallion, who tragically lost their lives in the racially charged shooting, according to officials.
Dove explained he wants people to use the holiday to look back on tragedies like this so the victims aren’t forgotten, while also helping the victims’ families try to move forward.
“Every day is not a good day for them,” Dove said. “I don’t think there’s a day that goes by without them remembering to go to the grocery store and never returning. We had a hard time actually getting them here because it still resonates with them.”
Following the vigil, church leaders invited others to join a Juneteenth celebration just down the street at Edward Waters University. This will be open to the public until 7 p.m. Thursday.
