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Ten dead and three wounded at Tops Market in Buffalo, N.Y.

Jada Adams, Reporter|June 1, 2022

On May 14, in Buffalo, New York. 10 people were shot and killed at the Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue. The shooter has been identified as 18-year-old Payton S. Gendron from Conklin, New York, and authorities have reason to believe that the attack was racially motivated. The attack was live-streamed on the popular streaming site, Twitch. Grendon was fully armed and wearing tactical gear during the crime.

“The evidence that we have uncovered so far makes no mistake that this is an absolute racist hate crime. It will be prosecuted as a hate crime,” said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramagli.”This is someone who has hate in their heart, soul, and mind.” 13 people were shot that day, with 11 of the 13 being African American. Three of the victims were left wounded, and the 10 others sadly did not survive the attack.

Investigators are reviewing a 180-page manifesto that has been connected to the crime. The author used the term “white genocide” to describe the way the white population is slowly being replaced by ‘non-whites.’ They also go on to state that the zip code to the supermarket in Buffalo has, “the highest black percentage that is close enough to where I live.”

Grendon was previously brought into police custody back in June of 2021 for a mental health check after he made a generalized threat at his high school. On Saturday, he appeared before a judge and pleaded not guilty to murder charges. As of Wednesday, it was announced that in New York, prosecutors could only charge the defendant with first-degree murder under particular circumstances. When multiple people are killed in a single incident, a single count will cover all deaths. No domestic charges have been filed, and Grendon is scheduled to be back in court on June 9th. He will remain in custody until then, being held without bail.

Victims

On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $2.8 million in federal and state funding for the victims and their families.

Aaron Salter Jr, 55
Salter, was a retired Buffalo police officer working as a security guard at tops. Salter sprung into action immediately and reportedly shot the gunman in the chest. However, it had no effect due to the body armor the shooter was wearing. “I had the pleasure of knowing him,” said Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President John Evans, “a great guy, well respected, well-liked. This is just horrific. It’s tragic. I don’t know what other words to describe it.”

“He worked hard, laid-back family man,” Slater’s first cousin, Mr. Bennefield, stated, “He liked to work and take care of his family.”

Celectine Chaney, 65
Roberta A. Drury, 32
Andre Mackneil, 53
Katherine Massey, 72
Margus D. Morrison, 52
Hayward Patterson, 67
Geraldine Talley, 62
Ruth Whitefield, 86
Pearl Young, 77