City leaders and community members gathered to pay tribute to the lives of AJ Laguerre Jr., Angela Carr and Jerald Gallion.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s been nearly two years since a racially motivated shooting claimed the lives of three people at a Jacksonville Dollar General.
Families of the victims, survivors and community leaders gathered Sunday at Kings Road Memorial Park near where it happened for a ceremony.
“That was a dark day in our history,” said Jacksonville City Council Member Ju’Coby Pittman.
Pittman says she’ll never forget what she saw outside the Dollar General on Kings Road minutes after a gunman killed three people, then took his own life.
“The mayor, she was crying,” said Pittman. “There were people out in the street, residents, family members. They didn’t know what was going on.”
Pittman and other city leaders have made a point to bring the community together every year to remember the three lost in the tragedy – AJ Laguerre Jr., Angela Carr and Jerald Gallion.
“To those surviving loved ones, I know you will never, ever have closure,” said Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters. “Closure simply doesn’t exist when you lose someone you loved in such a terrible way.”
Family members of the three victims were invited to unveil a plaque on trees dedicated to each one, and to perform a ceremonial watering of the tree.
“To the families who lost so much, I cannot promise you that time will make this right,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “I can promise that time will not erase your memories, or ours.”
Deegan mentioned more has transformed in Jacksonville than just Kings Road Memorial Park since the shooting.
“We formed the Jacksonville Transformation Coalition soon after this tragedy, targeting investments where the need is greatest and progress is measurable,” said Deegan. “This was one of the very first recommendations from the JTC.”
Just like how she won’t forget what it was like the day the shooting happened, Pittman promised the families she won’t forget to pay tribute to their loved ones every year.
“We should let this family know every year that we will be here at this site as long as I am in office,” said Pittman.
Angela Carr’s brother told First Coast News he’s part of the team responsible for beautifying Kings Road Memorial Park, and said it’s been rewarding laying the decorative rocks and planting flowers in his sister’s memory.