Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Payton Gendron, a white male who drove from "hours away" to wreak havoc in a predominantly black neighborhood. Gendron reportedly entered Tops Friendly Market at roughly 2:30 p.m. before beginning his rampage. Authorities announced at a press conference Saturday afternoon that police had the man in custody roughly an hour later. They further announced that the "racially motivated" massacre would be investigated as a hate crime.
“We are investigating this incident as both a hate crime and a case of racially motivated violent extremism,” Stephen Belongia, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Buffalo field office, explained to reporters at Saturday's press briefing.
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"We will not stop until every lead is investigated," Jeremy Bell, a special agent in the FBI Buffalo office, continued.
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, in the meantime, called the attack "pure evil," stating that it was "100% a racially motivated hate crime."
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Reached for comment by the Washington Examiner, an official with the FBI announced the bureau was "assisting in this investigation," though they could not add more because of the ongoing nature of the probe.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in a statement that the Justice Department was "investigating this matter as a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism." He continued that the department was "committed to conducting a thorough and expeditious investigation into this shooting and to seeking justice for these innocent victims."
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Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia assured that Gendron was wearing tactical gear and a helmet throughout the alleged massacre, shielding him from return fire. Of those shot, 11 of the victims were black and two were white. Four were store employees. One retired police officer working as a security guard managed to fire back at the suspect. Gendron was protected by his gear and reportedly shot the man dead. Officials stated that the gunman held his own rifle to his neck when confronted by authorities before finally turning himself in.
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Gramaglia announced that the 18-year-old suspect, who was not previously known to police, likewise used a camera to livestream the shooting, where two rifles were recovered from the scene.
"I am closely monitoring the shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted as news of the massacre emerged. "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."
Buffalo happens to be the governor's hometown.
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