A gunman, described as a white man in his early 20s, conducted a racially motivated attack in Jacksonville, Florida.
He killed three black individuals and then took his own life.
The assailant entered a Dollar General store, wearing body armor and armed with a semi-automatic rifle and handgun.
He left manifestos and messages indicating his intent.
The incident, labeled a hate crime, prompted a civil rights investigation by the FBI.
The shooting occurred near Edwards Waters University.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis condemned the attack, and the White House reported President Joe Biden’s awareness of the situation.
In a statement provided to the BBC’s US partner, CBS News, Dollar General said it was “heartbroken by the senseless act of violence that occurred at our Kings Road store”, adding that “supporting our Jacksonville employees and the DG family impacted by this tragedy is a top priority as we work closely with law enforcement”.
The Gun Violence Archive website reports more than 28,000 gun-related deaths in the US this year.
The Jacksonville incident coincides with the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I have a dream” speech.
On this occasion, thousands gathered in the capital to commemorate this significant event in the civil rights movement.
