Jacksonville community holds memorial for victims of racist Dollar General shooting

Families and community members in Jacksonville gathered at Kings Road Memorial Park to commemorate the three-year anniversary of a racist shooting at a Dollar General store. The vigil honored the lives of Angela Carr, Jerrald Gallion, and Anolt “A. J.” Laguerre Jr., who were killed on August 26, 2023, by a man targeting Black individuals.

During the candlelight vigil, speakers called for the community to turn grief into service and action. Michele Godfrey-Watson, founder of Refresh Ministries International, urged residents to build a Jacksonville where people can live and worship without fear based on the color of their skin.