Dollar General commits $2.5M to Jacksonville, to reopen store after fatal shooting
Dollar General is providing additional financial support and services in the wake of the fatal shooting at its store in Jacksonville, Fla.
Three Black people were killed when a gunman wearing a tactical vest and mask and armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a Glock handgun opened fire in and outside the store, which is located in the city’s New Town area. The victims included 19-year-old store employee Anolt Laguerre, Jr., as well as Angela Carr and Jerrald De'Shaun Gallion.
In addition to the ongoing counseling resources and the financial support provided and available directly to the victims’ families, Dollar General is pledging a total of more than $2.5 million to efforts and organizations focused on healing and hope for Jacksonville. The retailer said it is also working towards extending counseling services to the broader community.
Two non-profits will receive immediate support, including a $500,000 donation to the First Coast Relief Fund, which will be used to support the Jacksonville community in both the near and long-term as it works to recover from this tragedy. Dollar General also pledged a matching donation of up to $1 million to its Employee Assistance Foundation, which provides assistance to members of the Dollar General family in specified times of need.
An additional $1 million will go to support non-profit and community organizations and will be informed by conversations with the local community, including community and business leaders, non-profits and charitable groups, employees, and the local neighbors regarding how the funds can be used to help the community heal and rebuild.
Dollar General plans to reopen the “fully remodeled” Jacksonville store where the shooting occurred in late September or early October.
In addition, the company is donating $50,000 to local area food banks to help address any food insecurity issues.
“The entire DG family continues to mourn the senseless, hate-driven loss of life that took place last weekend,” said Jeff Owen, CEO Dollar General. “Our focus continues to be on supporting the victims’ families, our employees, and their loved ones, alongside how we can best support and stand with the greater Jacksonville community. The actions we are taking are in an effort to begin to heal together.”
As of August 4, 2023, the company operated 19,488 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and PopShelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico.