Anolt Joseph "AJ" Laguerre Jr., a 19-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, was one of the three victims of a racially motivated mass shooting that occurred on August 26, 2023, at a Dollar General store. AJ was described by his family and friends as a bright, kind, intelligent, and outgoing young man. He had recently graduated from high school and was working at the Dollar General store where the shooting took place.
AJ's life was marked by resilience and positivity despite facing significant adversity. He lost his mother at the age of five and was raised by his grandmother, Cheryl Joachin, along with his siblings. AJ was known for his gentle soul and his passion for video games, with aspirations of becoming a professional streamer. He never had a record, never received a referral in school, and never got into a fight, reflecting his peaceful and supportive nature towards his family and friends.
The shooting was carried out by a 21-year-old white supremacist gunman, Ryan Christopher Palmeter, who initially targeted a nearby historically Black university but was thwarted by a security guard. Palmeter then proceeded to the Dollar General store, where he killed AJ, along with two other victims, Angela Michelle Carr and Jerrald De'Shaun Gallion. The gunman was armed with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and a Glock handgun, one of which was marked with a swastika. He wore a tactical vest during the attack and later died from suicide after the rampage.
The families of the victims, including AJ's, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dollar General and the gunman's parents. The lawsuit alleges that Dollar General failed to provide adequate security at the store, which was located in a high-crime area, and that the gunman's parents failed to protect the public from their son's foreseeable criminal acts. The lawsuit aims to hold the defendants accountable for their alleged negligence and to highlight the need for better security measures to prevent such tragedies.
AJ's death has been deeply felt by his family and community, who remember him for his kindness, intelligence, and his unwavering support for those around him. His family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of his funeral, memorial, and transportation to be buried next to his mother in Bradenton, Florida.
