HBCU Vows to Continue God’s Work After Racially Motivated Mass Shooting

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It still baffles thousands of people why hate crime is still taking out innocent souls in the States. On August 26, 2023, a young man of 21 years attacked and killed 3 people at Edward Waters University (EWU) in Jacksonville, Florida. The shooter, Ryan Christopher Palmeter also died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The crime demonstrates a racial hatred against blacks.

Edward Waters University got hit with a piece of bad news last Saturday. This prompted a lockdown in the university afterwards. EWU has a strong historical background of training people mainly of the black race. EWU was founded in the year 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

It’s a Christian university that holds faith in Christ Jesus and his teachings. Despite this incident, the leader has vowed never to give up on the school’s lofty goals.

Federal investigation has already begun to come out with further details about this mass shooting in Jacksonville, Florida.

According to sources, the security officer at the University engaged with a young man near the Centennial Library. This gentleman initially failed to disclose his identity. He was then asked to leave the premises.

The shooter was then identified as a white young man who lived with his parents in Orange Park. He killed three black people with an “AR-15-style” rifle and a handgun, which sources say were legally purchased.

It is known that this guy’s crime was racially motivated. The hate against blacks seems to sour each year. According to the Gun Violence Archive, at least 475 mass shootings have been recorded in 2023.

This brings into memory more recent ones hence leaving behind questions in the heads of people. Gun control has always been a problem.

This 21-year-old Ryan Christopher Palmeter’s crime has left people wondering what might have been the real reason behind such crime. As authorities take charge of ensuring a thorough investigation, Attorney General Merrick Garland has confirmed that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating the shooting as a hate crime and an act of racially motivated violent extremism.

When the gunman was attacking, he used racial slurs and even left behind racist writing according to the sheriff.

EWU President and CEO A. Zachary Faison, Jr. said in a video message that the entire university stands against hate crimes. In his speech, he said they are not dismayed. This is a reference we can find in the Bible. The scriptures inspire believers not to be dismissed when faced with troubles such as hate and persecution.

“It’s not lost on us that this was, in fact, a racially motivated act,” Faison said. He emphasized that the university will continue its mission of educating young, mostly black minds.

“I want to say very unabashedly, that we are not dismayed. We will not be intimidated. … The work that we do at Edward Waters and that we have been doing for a century and a half … a great work and it’s a great work because it’s God’s work.”

“We are about the business of uplifting, and educating young, mostly black minds, to change the world,” he added. “And we know that that’s a very powerful force and that there are other forces that want to see that not happen. But thank God that he has continued to keep not only Edward Waters University but all historically black colleges and universities around this great country.”

While the University is poised to uplift and educate young people, the devil is trying his best to demoralize the leaders and their godly mission.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10)

The University’s authorities say they won’t be intimidated. The Mayor of Jacksonville Donna Deegan has also called for an end to division and hate according to CNN.

“We are all the same flesh, blood, and bones and we should treat each other that way.”

In an effort to show support to Edward Waters University and condolences to the bereaved families and individuals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced some amount of money: The state would contribute $1 million to boost campus security at Edwards Waters University.

It is reported that the security team acted early to prevent the situation from escalating. However, beefing up the security system would create a more formidable team.

In support, the state is also giving charity support to the shooting victims’ families with $100,000, the governor said.

Sadly, the suspect’s family is said to have contacted authorities about a will and suicide note left behind by the shooter. Video clips of the shooting incident have been released to the general public and it looks disgusting.

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