The 2022 Buffalo Shooting: A Dark Day in New York

The Attack

On the afternoon of May 14, 2022, the calm of a typical day in Buffalo, New York, was shattered by violence. At approximately 2:30 p.m., 18-year-old Payton S. Gendron arrived at the Tops Friendly Markets supermarket located on Jefferson Avenue in the East Side neighborhood—a predominantly Black area. Armed with a Bushmaster XM-15, an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle illegally modified to accept high-capacity magazines, Gendron approached the entrance. He was clad in body armor, a military helmet, and had a camera attached to his helmet, broadcasting the horrific event through Twitch. His intent was clear, driven by a toxic mix of racism and adherence to far-right conspiracy theories such as the Great Replacement.

Upon arrival, Gendron began his attack in the parking lot, swiftly taking the lives of three individuals and injuring another. Moving inside the supermarket, he continued his rampage, ultimately killing a total of ten people, all of whom were Black, and wounding three others. The attack was brief but devastating, concluding by 2:36 p.m. after a total of 60 shots were fired.

Victims and Heroism

Among the victims was 55-year-old Aaron Salter Jr., a retired Buffalo Police Department officer working as a security guard. Salter bravely confronted Gendron, firing a shot that struck the assailant's body armor but failed to stop him. Tragically, Salter was killed when Gendron returned fire. The other victims included Celestine Chaney, Roberta A. Drury, Andre Mackneil, Katherine Massey, Margus D. Morrison, Heyward Patterson, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield, and Pearl Young. Their lives were senselessly cut short in a brutal act of hate.

In the chaos, some customers and employees hid in a break room, barricading the door with a heavy desk, while others took refuge in a milk cooler, where milk cartons miraculously blocked bullets. Gendron's violent spree left an indelible mark on the community and the nation.

Aftermath and Community Response

In the wake of the shooting, the Buffalo community came together in mourning and resilience. A vigil was held at the supermarket, and True Bethel Baptist Church hosted a mourning service attended by victims' families and survivors. The Buffalo Bandits, during their National Lacrosse League playoff game, observed a moment of silence, and proceeds from a raffle were donated to the victims' families. Similarly, a charity softball game at Sahlen Field involving the Buffalo Bills also paid tribute to the victims.

The Tops supermarket's closure posed a significant challenge for the East Side neighborhood, as it was the only supermarket in the area since 2003. In response, both local and external organizations initiated programs to provide food and clothing to residents, while Tops offered shuttle services to another location and promised daily deliveries of refrigerated food. On July 15, 2022, the store reopened, featuring a memorial to honor the victims.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Erie County Sheriff John Garcia unequivocally labeled the shooting as a "racially motivated hate crime," a sentiment echoed by the local FBI office, which investigated the incident as an act of racially motivated violent extremism. Gendron was apprehended at the scene and taken into custody. Following his arrest, he made statements regarding his motives, revealing a chilling premeditation.

The investigation uncovered that Gendron had plans to continue his attack if he managed to escape the supermarket. Law enforcement also looked into his online interactions, including potential contact with a retired federal agent and others who might have had advance knowledge of the attack but failed to report it.

Additionally, a 911 operator faced scrutiny for allegedly mishandling a call during the shooting. An assistant manager at the Tops store called 911 and whispered to avoid detection, only to be shouted at by the dispatcher, who then disconnected the call. This dispatcher was subsequently placed on administrative leave and later dismissed following a disciplinary hearing.

The Perpetrator

Payton S. Gendron, born on June 20, 2003, was an 18-year-old white male at the time of the shooting. He lived in Conklin, New York, approximately 200 miles from Buffalo, and had traveled over three hours to commit the attack. A graduate of Susquehanna Valley High School, Gendron had previously enrolled in an engineering program at SUNY Broome Community College. His parents, both civil engineers, were unaware of his radicalization.

Former classmates described Gendron as quiet and reclusive, with peculiar behaviors such as wearing a hazmat suit to class. Prior to the shooting, he conducted reconnaissance at the Tops supermarket and left five boxes of ammunition at a friend's house under false pretenses.

Previous Threat and Missed Opportunities

In June 2021, Gendron had been investigated for making a threatening statement at his high school, claiming he intended to commit a mass shooting. Despite this, he was only referred for a mental health evaluation and released after 36 hours. The investigation revealed that Gendron had viewed this experience as encouragement rather than a deterrent. The New York State Police did not pursue further action, nor did they remove firearms from his possession.

Weapons and Radicalization

Gendron acquired his weapons legally, passing background checks by filling out Form 4473. He purchased the Bushmaster XM-15 and illegally modified it to accept 30-round magazines, a violation of New York's assault weapons ban. His firearms bore racist inscriptions and references to previous white supremacist mass murderers, underscoring the depth of his radicalization.

Legal Outcomes

Charged with first-degree murder, Gendron initially pleaded not guilty. However, on November 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to all state charges, including murder, domestic terrorism, and hate crimes. He was sentenced to 11 concurrent life sentences without the possibility of parole on February 15, 2023, while federal charges remained pending. The federal prosecution has signaled their intent to seek the death penalty.

Broader Implications

The tragedy prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to enact policy changes, including banning most semi-automatic sales to individuals under 21 and certain types of body armor. The incident also led to legal actions against platforms like Reddit and YouTube, accused of contributing to Gendron's radicalization.

The 2022 Buffalo shooting stands as a grim reminder of the pervasive threat of racial hatred and extremism. It underscores the urgent need for vigilance and action to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Sources

Wikipedia: 2022 Buffalo shooting