A suspect opened fire at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, killing multiple people on Saturday afternoon.
The Associated Press reported law enforcement officials said at least 10 people were killed in the shooting incident at a Tops grocery store on Saturday. The Buffalo Police Department said multiple people were struck by gunfire when its officers arrived at the grocery store in the 1200 block of Jefferson Avenue at around 2:30 p.m. EST. Another three people were wounded.
The Buffalo Police Department said the shooting suspect is in custody at this time.
The Associated Press reported the area where the shooting took place was a primarily black neighborhood. Witnesses Braedyn Kephart and Shane Hill, both 20-years-old, identified the suspect as a white male in his late teens or early twenties wearing camouflage and tactical gear. Police later identified the suspect as 18-year-old Payton Gendron.
Gendron was arraigned later on Saturday on murder charges.
Kephart and Hill said they arrived at the store as the suspect was leaving and saw the suspect point a gun at his own face. Kephart said he eventually dropped to his knees, took off his helmet, dropped his gun and was tackled and arrested by responding officers.
At a press conference, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said the shooting suspect was live-streaming the attack.
Gramaglia said that during the attack, a retired police officer who was working as a security guard began firing at the suspect, striking him multiple times. Because the suspect was wearing body armor, the security guard’s rounds failed to stop the suspect. The suspect shot and killed the security guard.
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said the attack was racially motivated
“I am closely monitoring the shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted as news broke of the attack. “We have offered assistance to local officials. If you are in Buffalo, please avoid the area and follow guidance from law enforcement and local officials.”
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” Tops Friendly Markets said in a statement, ABC News reported. “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.”
