Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the Shooting in Jacksonville, Florida | The White HouseSkip to contentYou have JavaScript disabled. Please enable JavaScript to use this feature.Toggle High Contrast Toggle High Contrast Toggle Large Font Size Toggle Large Font Size The White HouseThe White House The White House Home AdministrationPrioritiesThe RecordBriefing RoomEspañol InstagramOpens in a new windowFacebookOpens in a new windowTwitterOpens in a new windowYouTubeOpens in a new window Contact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyAccessibility Statement MenuCloseTo search this site, enter a search term SearchMobile Menu OverlayAdministrationShow submenu for “Administration””President Joe BidenVice President Kamala HarrisFirst Lady Dr. Jill BidenSecond Gentleman Douglas EmhoffThe CabinetExecutive OfficesShow submenu for “Executive Offices””Council of Economic AdvisersCouncil on Environmental QualityDomestic Policy CouncilGender Policy CouncilNational Economic CouncilNational Security CouncilNational Space CouncilOffice of Intergovernmental AffairsOffice of Management and BudgetOffice of the National Cyber DirectorOffice of National Drug Control PolicyOffice of Public EngagementOffice of Science and Technology PolicyOffice of the United States Trade RepresentativeClimate Policy OfficePresidential Personnel OfficePrioritiesBriefing RoomThe White HouseShow submenu for “The White House””PresidentsFirst FamiliesThe GroundsOur GovernmentGet InvolvedShow submenu for “Get Involved””Write or Call The White HouseJoin UsWhite House FellowsWhite House Internship ProgramThe RecordDisclosuresEspañol Contact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyAccessibility Statement InstagramOpens in a new windowFacebookOpens in a new windowTwitterOpens in a new windowYouTubeOpens in a new window The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 To search this site, enter a search term SearchAugust 27, 2023 Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the Shooting in Jacksonville, Florida Home Briefing Room Statements and Releases On Saturday, as Americans marked the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, a gunman armed with an assault-style rifle and handgun opened fire at a Jacksonville store just blocks away from a Historically Black University, taking the lives of three Black Americans.Already, federal law enforcement has opened a civil rights investigation into this attack and is treating it as a possible hate crime and act of domestic violent extremism.As we allow that investigation to proceed, let us continue to speak truth about the moment we are in: America is experiencing an epidemic of hate. Too many communities have been torn apart by hatred and violent extremism. Too many families have lost children, parents, and grandparents. Too many Black Americans live every day with the fear that they will be victims of hate-fueled gun violence—at school, at work, at their place of worship, at the grocery store.Every person in every community in America should have the freedom to live safe from gun violence. And Congress must help secure that freedom by banning assault weapons and passing other commonsense gun safety legislation.Doug and I will keep the victims and their loved ones in our prayers.# # # Stay ConnectedSign UpEmail Address* RequiredZIP CodePlease leave blank.We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better. Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden. ShareShare this page on FacebookShare this page on Twitterhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/27/statement-by-vice-president-kamala-harris-on-the-shooting-in-jacksonville-florida/?utm_source=link HomeThe AdministrationExecutive OfficesPrioritiesThe RecordBriefing RoomThe White HouseDisclosuresGet InvolvedEspañol Contact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyAccessibility Statement InstagramOpens in a new windowFacebookOpens in a new windowTwitterOpens in a new windowYouTubeOpens in a new window The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 WH.gov Scroll to Top Scroll to Top Top