Buffalo, New York–Ten people are reportedly dead after a gunman opened fire at a supermarket in a predominately Black neighborhood today in Buffalo, New York. 13 people total were shot, with 11 of the victims Black and 2 of them white. 18-year-old Payton Gendron of Conklin in Broome County New York was arrested and taken into custody by authorities.
Gendron was dressed in army fatigue, heavily armed and drove hours to the supermarket in Buffalo where he opened fire on those shopping at the Tops Supermarket. He has been charged with first degree murder and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.
Gendron will undergo a mental evaluation while in custody.
“At least four bodies were found in the parking lot, a police official at the scene said. Inside the supermarket, several other victims were found, and some of the deceased appeared to be hiding near cash register lines,” (BuffaloNews).
According to Buffalo News, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said investigators have collected evidence showing “racial animosity” was behind the attack. President Joe Biden also released a statement Saturday referring to the mass shooting as an act of “domestic terrorism” provoked by a “repugnant white nationalist ideology.”
Gendron also allegedly left behind a manifesto, which is said to show the crime was without a doubt racially motivated. An 180 page manifesto was released online and although it is associated with the shooters name, authorities have yet to prove the authenticity of the document.
“One of the victims in the attack was identified as Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo Police officer who was working as a security guard at Tops. Officials said Salter attempted to stop the attack and shot Gendron in the chest, but he was unharmed because he was wearing tactical body armor,” (WIVB).
Video: WKBW
