Family members of the three Black people killed in a racially-motivated shooting at a Dollar General in Jacksonville, Florida, are taking legal action against the store’s owner, the parents of the gunman, and others, according to NBC News.
The lawsuit, filed in a state court on Monday (Dec. 4), alleges negligence against the store’s owner, operator, and security contractor after 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter, who spouted racist ideas in a slew of writings, took the lives of Angela Carr, Jerrald Gallion, and Anolt “A.J.” Laguerre in August. Attorneys representing the victims’ families claim the lax security led to the Black victims’ deaths.
According to reporters, Palmeter targeted another store and a historically Black college, but the presence of security guards stopped him from carrying out violence. The lawsuit also claims the defendants failed to bolster security measures after the area saw a string of crimes, including shootings, before the Palmeter’s rampage.
“While Palmeter was deterred from harming the public at his two preceding stops, at this Dollar General, there was nothing in place to again deter Palmeter from attacking and killing innocent persons,” the filing reads.
Palmeter, who was armed with a Glock handgun and an AR-15-style rifle, killed himself during the attack. Investigators said the shooter left behind his writings and suicide note.
The lawsuit also names Palmeter’s estate and his parents as defendants. The filing alleges the shooter’s parents should’ve been aware that their son was a danger to himself and others before the deadly assault, according to WJAX.
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