May 14, 2022
BUFFALO, NY – From Buffalo City Police: BPD on scene of a mass shooting at the Tops in the 1200 block of Jefferson Avenue. Police say multiple people have been struck by gunfire. The shooter is in custody. Motorists and residents are urged to avoid the area.
ABC is reporting that ten people have been killed by the shooter, police video shows that the suspect is a white male.
Update 8:12pm: The suspect is Payton Gendron, 18, of Conklin, NY, in Broome County.
It’s also being reported that Gendron, did a video-live stream of the shooting, at least one website is reporting that Gendron has pleaded not guilty.
Buffalo Police say that a total of 13 people were shot, 11 were African-American, two were white.
Buffalo Police also say that the shooter is a New York State resident, but is not from the Erie County area. Police did say he was from “several hours away”.
One of those killed, was a former Buffalo Police Officer, who was working as a security guard at the Tops Grocery Store. Officials say that the security guard did fire his weapon at the suspect, but that the suspect was protected by his body armor. Three of those shot were also store employees.
From The Justice Dept: The country mourns the victims of a senseless, horrific shooting in Buffalo, New York. The FBI and ATF are working closely with the Buffalo Police Department and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
“The Justice Department is investigating this matter as a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism. The Justice Department is committed to conducting a thorough and expeditious investigation into this shooting and to seeking justice for these innocent victims.”
From Governor Kathy Hochul: My heart breaks for the victims’ families and for everyone impacted by this horrific and despicable act of violence. NYSP have set up a family unification site in Buffalo for those separated from loved ones in the wake of today’s shooting. The site is located at Makowski Early Childhood Center, 1095 Jefferson Ave. in Buffalo.
From U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer: I’m actively monitoring the situation with the grocery store shooting in Buffalo. We are standing with the people of Buffalo. If you’re in Buffalo, please follow the guidance of local law enforcement.
