JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A peaceful tribute at a Jacksonville intersection Wednesday brought together community members, survivors, and grieving family members to honor three people killed in a racially motivated shooting three years ago.
Angela Carr, 52, Jerrald Gallion, 29, and A.J. Laguerre Jr., 19, were murdered by a gunman at a Kings Road Dollar General store on August 26, 2023.
Laguerre was working at the store that day.
Gallion was shopping.
Carr was waiting in her car outside.
Investigators determined the attack was racially motivated.
‘No one should lose their lives because of racism’
Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman organized this year’s annual commemoration. At the event, she reflected on the weight of the day.
“Today is a sad day,” Pittman said. “No one should lose their lives because of racism.”
Pittman said she plans to continue organizing the annual event because of what it means to the victims’ families and to survivors who were inside the store during the shooting. She noted that some survivors had planned to attend Wednesday but called her the morning of the event.
“It’s emotional when I talk about these families,” Pittman said. “Some of the survivors had planned on coming today. And I got three calls today saying … go to the doctor.”
‘We can celebrate the life he had’
Michelle Norris attended the event to represent her family and honor her cousin, Jerrald Gallion.
“I’m here representing my cousin, Jerrald Gallion,” Norris said. “He was my little cousin.”
Norris said the pain of losing Gallion stays with her, but she is grateful for the annual gathering.
“It brings us all together as a family so we can celebrate the life he had instead of dwelling on the tragedy that happened,” Norris said.
The tribute included singing, with attendees joining together in the gospel song “Nobody Greater.”
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.