Tragically, a white man in Jacksonville, Florida allegedly went on a racially motivated shooting spree, killing three innocent black people at a Dollar General store before taking his own life.

Sheriff T. K. Waters confirmed that the assailant, in his early 20s, wore body armor and left behind disturbing manifestos, making it clear that this was an act of hate.

This kind of violence is sickening and inexcusable, and the police are now investigating it as a possible hate crime.

The senseless loss of these victims is a tragic reminder of the destructive force of racial hatred and intolerance.

The alleged killer, a young white man, equipped himself with a semi-automatic rifle and handgun, donned body armor, and left messages declaring his murderous intentions, including a message to his own parents.

Even more sickening, the shooter is suspected of drawing a swastika on one of his weapons, making his white supremacist leanings unmistakable.

Sadly, such racially-charged violence is an all-too-common occurrence, and the devastating impact it has on communities is immeasurable.

It's truly disheartening and appalling.

As if one shooting wasn't awful enough, this hate-motivated mass shooting near a historically Black university is heartbreaking.

The fact that the FBI is treating it as a hate crime underscores the seriousness of this crime. Mayor Deegan is absolutely right - even one shooting is too many.

And the fact that Governor DeSantis called the perpetrator a "scumbag" and described the shooting as "horrific" really drives home the gravity of this tragedy. It's sickening, plain and simple.