A SUSPECTED mass shooter who allegedly killed ten people in a Buffalo grocery store was arraigned this evening and is facing “life without parole.”
Peyton Gendron of Broome County, New York, allegedly donned body armor and carried an assault weapon as he entered the Tops Friendly Market shortly after 2:30 pm and opened fire on May 14, 2022.
During the bloody rampage, the 18-year-old white suspect opened fire, killing 10 and hurting three in what police described as a racially-motivated attack, which was live-streamed on Twitch, reports say.
He was arraigned and charged with murder in the first degree on Saturday. Speaking about the deadly attack, New York Governor Hochul said social media platforms “can in a sense become an accomplice if, not legally, but morally.”
The suspect, who drove five hours to carry out the alleged attack, was wearing a white mask and a white paper gown during his courtroom appearance this evening.
In total, 13 people were shot with ten victims passing away from the injuries and three being hurt. Eleven of the 13 victims were African American and two were white, cops told reporters.
Read our Buffalo shooting blog for the latest updates
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VIGIL PLANNED FOR SUNDAY MORNING
Many people have started creating vigils for those who were killed. The community has planned to have a larger vigil on Sunday.
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PEARL YOUNG REMEMBERED
Reporter Madison Carter also tweeted: “Pearly Young, 77, was killed today in #Buffalo shopping for groceries.
“For 25 years she ran a pantry where every Saturday she fed people in Central Park. Every. Saturday.
“She loved singing, dancing, & being with family. She was mother, grandma, & missionary. Gone too soon.”
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MORE VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
Pearl Young, 77, has also been confirmed as one of the fallen after the shooting in a series of social media posts.
Jimmie Smith shared a snap of her on Facebook, writing: “I’m soooo sorry this happened! You did NOT DESERVE THIS!
“You were so sweet and beautiful on the inside and out! YOU REALLY DID LOVE THE LORD!!!!
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ANOTHER VICTIM IDENTIFIED
A second victim, Ruth Whitfield, has also been named by her family, according to The Buffalo News.
Her son, retired Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell W. Whitfield, paid tribute to the 86-year-old, telling the outlet: “My mom was the consummate mom. My mother was a mother to the motherless. She was a blessing to all of us. She loved God and taught us to do the same thing.”
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A HERO REMEMBERED CONTINUED
“Today is a shock,” his son, Aaron Salter III, told The Daily Beast in Lockport, a suburb of Buffalo.
“I’m pretty sure he saved some lives today. He’s a hero.”
Johnny Juliano, Salter’s cousin, also posted on Facebook: “R.I.P to my cousin Aaron “salt man” Salter jr. A true hero who risked his life trying to defend those helpless during a racist attack/ mass shooting.”
“Retired BPD who was loved by all you truely will be missed and remembered for your heroic gesture.”
“May god look over our family during this hard time and please pray for us and the families of all the other victims in this tragedy. Pray for Buffalo!”
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A HERO REMEMBERED
The heroic security guard Aaron Salter Jr is being mourned in Buffalo, New York as one of ten killed in a horrific Tops Friendly Markets mass shooting, reports say.
Payton Gendron, 18, was wearing tactical body armor and a helmet as he entered the Tops Friendly Market shortly after 2.30pm, allegedly opened fire on Saturday, killing ten – including Salter.
Salter, a retired Buffalo Police Department cop pictured right, was named as the first victim after the alleged teen gunman began shooting after driving five hours to the grocery store.
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‘LET US CRY”
Pridgen said it’s time to grieve and comfort each other. He asked others to allow the community to cry and heal together for the time being.
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RISKS OF LOSING THE MARKET
Council President Darius Pridgen said the TOPS market is like a gathering spot for many people in the neighborhood.
The area is considered a food desert, and many people had to fight to get the grocery store there in the first place. Pridgen says it would be detrimental if the store gets closed down.
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ILLEGAL RIFLE
The rifle used was legal to buy in New York, but it was modified with illegal accessories. This was most likely done in Pennsylvania where these modifications are legal.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Authorities called the judge and asked him to go to the courthouse so the gunman could be arraigned on Saturday night.
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WHO WAS THE GUNMAN?
Officials have announced the alleged gunman was 18-year-old, Payton Gendron.
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GOV CALLS OUT SOCIAL MEDIA
Governor Hochul slammed social media sites for fostering environments that allow hate groups to expand and share harmful information.
She also berated the sites for allowing videos like the live stream of the shooting.
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GOV. KATHY HOCHUL SPEAKS
New York governor Kathy Hochul called the alleged shooter a “white supremacist” and said he will be investigated and charged as a terrorist.
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SHERRIF JOHN GARCIA CALLS SHOOTER ‘PURE EVIL’
During a press conference, Garcia called the alleged gunman “pure evil.”
“It was straight-up racially motivated hate crime from somebody outside of our community, outside of the City of Good neighbors … coming into our community and trying to inflict that evil upon us.”
Officials said 11 of the victims were Black and two are white.
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DENIED BAIL
The judge denied bail for the alleged shooter as his lawyer requested a forensics exam. There will be another hearing Thursday morning.
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GUNMAN HELD GUN TO HIS NECK
Buffalo police entered the store and confronted the suspect, police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said at a news conference.
He held the gun to his own neck, but two officers were able to talk him into dropping the weapon and surrendering.
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NOT FROM BUFFALO
The alleged gunman drove five hours and about 200 miles from his home in Conklin, New York, to commit this crime.
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POSSIBLE DEATH PENALTY
The crime is being investigated as a case of racially motivated violent extremism.
Hate crimes are handled by the federal government. This could result in two separate investigations and trials, one by the state and one by the federal government.
For now, the highest punishment that could be handed down by the state of New York is life in prison without parole.
The federal court could seek the death penalty. For example, the Boston Marathon bomber received the death penalty.
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MAYOR GETS EMOTIONAL
Mayor Byron Brown called the alleged shooter an “evil jerk,” during an interview with a local news outlet.
“He came for black people. He drove here for black people. I don’t give a damn about him right now, I care about the families [and] their mothers are not coming home tonight.”
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FORMER BUFFALO POLICE OFFICER AMONG DEAD
One of those killed was a former Buffalo police officer who had been working as a security guard inside the store. He engaged with the shooter but was ultimately overpowered.
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WHAT HAPPENED IN BUFFALO, NY
The alleged gunman described as a white, 18-year-old male wore tactical body armor and carried a rifle as he entered the Tops Friendly Market shortly after 2:30pm and opened fire.
He allegedly shot dead ten people and hurt three.
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SUPERMARKET’S STATEMENT
Tops Friendly Markets shared a statement on Twitter as the deadly event unfolded:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
“Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our associates and customers.
“We appreciate the quick response of local law enforcement and are providing all available resources to assist authorities in the ongoing investigation.”
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BLOODY RAMPAGE
On Saturday afternoon, shortly after 2.30 pm, shots were fired at a supermarket in upstate New York.
The Buffalo Police Department took to Twitter to warn people in the area.
“BPD on [the] scene of a mass shooting at the Tops in the 1200 block of Jefferson Avenue,” they wrote.
“Police say multiple people have been struck by gunfire. The shooter is in custody. Motorists and residents are urged to avoid the area.”
The Buffalo Police Department took to Twitter to warn people in the area.
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ALREADY ARRAIGNED
The suspected gunman was arraigned at around 7.30 on Saturday night.
He wore a mask and a paper gown and was barefoot as the judge charged him with murder in the first degree.
His lawyers said he pleads not guilty.
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LIVE-STREAM HORROR
Buffalo police confirmed that the suspect filmed the horrific attack in a disturbing live-stream video.
Disturbing footage surfaced on social media which The Sun has not independently verified.
Police described the suspect’s alleged attack as “pure evil” during an emotional press conference in New York today.
