Buffalo, NY – May 14, 2023
A mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, has left 10 people dead and three injured. The suspect, Payton Gendron, 18, of Conklin, New York, was charged with hate crimes resulting in death and hate crimes involving bodily injury and attempt to kill, use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence, and use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Gendron’s motive for the mass shooting was to prevent Black people from replacing white people and eliminating the white race, and to inspire others to commit similar attacks. He live-streamed the attack on the internet, which resulted in the deaths of 10 Black people and injuries to one Black person and two Caucasian people.
The complaint alleges that on May 14, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Gendron committed a mass shooting targeting Black people at Tops Friendly Market. He was wearing a tactical-style helmet, camouflage clothing, body armor, and a GoPro video camera, and carrying a loaded Bushmaster XM-15 .223 caliber rifle and multiple loaded magazines.
At the time of the attack, Gendron shot and killed three Black people in the Tops’ parking lot and injured a fourth Black person. He then fired several shots through the front window of the store before entering, where he immediately shot and killed two more Black people. Gendron and an armed Black security guard exchanged gunfire, and Gendron aimed at, shot, and killed the security guard.
Subsequent investigation determined that Gendron wrote a self-described manifesto containing a detailed plan to shoot and kill Black people at Tops using a Bushmaster XM-15 rifle, a diagram of the interior layout of the store, a discussion of the clothing and equipment that he would use during the attack, and statements that his motivation for the attack was to prevent Black people from replacing white people and eliminating the white race, and to inspire others to commit similar racially-motivated attacks.
The investigation also determined that Gendron traveled to Tops to scout the location on several occasions prior to the attack, including on May 14, the day of the attack. When he was taken into custody, officers recovered the rifle used by Gendron in the attack. The rifle had various writings on it, including racial slurs, the statement ‘Here’s your reparations!, and the phrase ‘The Great Replacement.’
The complaint alleges that Gendron fired approximately 60 shots during the attack. Two other firearms, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and a loaded bolt-action rifle, as well as three loaded rifle magazines, were recovered from Gendron’s vehicle after the attack.
Defendant Information: Payton Gendron, 18, of Conklin, New York. Criminal Charges: Hate crimes resulting in death and hate crimes involving bodily injury and attempt to kill, use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence, and use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. City and State: Buffalo, New York. Exact Date: May 14, 2023. Sentence or Outcome: Currently in custody, awaiting trial.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Johnson, Abducted Elderly Woman with Dementia, New York Cit… · New York
- Edmanuel Victoria Charged with Armored Truck Robbery, New York, 2024 · New York
- Holly Ann Elkins, Stalking Murder, New York, 2024 · New York
- John Doe, Midtown Shooting, New York NY, 2024 · New York
- James Johnson, Sexual Abuse of Inmate, New York NY, 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
