Biden Condemns Jacksonville Shooting that Left Three African Americans Dead

Shutterstock

On Sunday, President Joe Biden condemned the homicide that occurred the previous day in Jacksonville, Florida, in which a white man killed three African Americans. 

In his statement, Biden emphasized that the country will not tolerate white supremacy.

In a released statement, the president expressed his condolences and noted that federal authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, considering the possibility that it may be a hate crime and an act of violent extremism.

More: Shooting in Jacksonville leaves several dead

Biden lamented that this crime happened on the same day as the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for civil rights, during which Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

The president stated, "We must be clear and steadfast in saying that white supremacy has no place in the United States. 

We cannot allow a country where families fear going to the store or school due to the color of their skin." He added that silence equals complicity and cannot be tolerated.

More: An explosion in a house in Pennsylvania leaves five dead

The attack was carried out by a white supremacist identified as Ryan Palmeter, 21 years old, who killed three people in a store. 

Biden mentioned that he had previously attempted to enter Edward Waters University, but was denied entry for refusing to identify himself. He used legally acquired weapons, including a rifle with a painted swastika.

President Biden has repeatedly urged Congress to ban assault weapons, such as the one used in this attack, but these requests have not been successful so far.