BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo mass shooting suspect 19-year-old Payton Gendron pleaded guilty on Monday to all state charges.
The suspect arrived at the Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue on May 14 and opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring three others in what investigators have called a racist attack. As Western New York mourns with the families who lost loved ones, 7 News wishes to honor their memory. You can learn more about each of the victims here.
The suspect faces state charges and federal charges in two separate cases.
The state charges he pleaded guilty to on Monday include:
- One count of first-degree domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate
- 10 counts of first-degree murder
- Three counts of second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime
- One count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
According to Erie County District Attorney John Flynn, the suspect is the first person in New York State to be indicted and convicted on a domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate charge.
“After selecting the City of Buffalo as the target of his planned terror attack, this defendant drove for several hours with the intent to kill innocent African American citizens as they shopped for groceries on a Saturday afternoon. Violence, especially violence motivated by hate or prejudice, will not be tolerated. I, along with the four Assistant District Attorneys who have diligently worked on this case, remain committed to obtaining justice for the victims and this community by prosecuting this defendant to the fullest extent of the law. I continue to pray for all who have been impacted by this tragedy. While we may never fully heal from the horrific crime and the loss of life that occurred on May 14th, I hope that the families of the victims and the survivors feel that justice has been served by this defendant pleading guilty today. Our office will request that the Court impose the maximum sentence."
"No individual in the history of the State of New York has been found guilty of that domestic terrorism charge motivated by hate until today," responded Flynn.
District Attorney Flynn appeared with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia at a news conference following the court appearance. A number of family members of the victims attended.
“This racist murder did not fulfill what he set out to accomplish. He failed. He failed miserably,” stated Flynn.
During court and again at the news briefing, Flynn described the evidence and how the gunman killed ten and wounded three.
"In just over two minutes, the defendant with the intent to murder as many African Americans as he could — killed ten innocent black people and attempted to kill three others," Flynn said.
No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom, but many family members lined up outside waiting to get inside to hear the gunman admit to the massacre that killed or wounded their loved ones. That is where they learned the store camera captured the attack as well as a camera mounted on a helmet he was wearing.
Many family members at @DAErieCountyNY news conference. @WKBW https://t.co/p8HJKzE4p1 pic.twitter.com/LIcQYrxgEP
— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) November 28, 2022
"Their screams of fear and confusion are heard on the defendant's camera," described Flynn.
"Those of us who got to sit in the courtroom witnessed a domestic terrorist — a racist mass murderer — plead guilty to killing ten precious innocent people and wounding three others," noted Mayor Brown.
"Over 28 years of policing I've been in a lot of courtrooms. I have never been impacted like I was today to actually see this individual in the courtroom pleading guilty to these vicious, horrific, hate filed racist murders," Commissioner Gramaglia stated.
In the state case, the suspect faces a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15 and continues to be held without bail at the Erie County Holding Center. Family members will be allowed to speak at the sentencing.
"It was clear that this act of pure evil, pre-mediated pure evil that this individual knew what they were doing and this individual pled guilty to what they were doing," replied Mayor Brown.
The suspect also faces 27 counts in a federal case, which includes hate crime and firearm charges. 7 News reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo for comment earlier this month but we were told they have "no comment."
7 News obtained the following statement from the parents of the suspect, Paul and Pamela Gendron, via ABC News:
We remain shocked and shattered to learn that our son was responsible for the hideous attack at the Tops Grocery Store on May 14, 2022. With today's plea of guilty, he will be held accountable for his actions. Our hearts are broken over the devastation he caused to the innocent victims he killed and wounded, their families, and the African-American community in Buffalo and beyond.
We are thankful to the law-enforcement professionals who investigated this case and will continue to provide any assistance we can. We pray for healing for everyone affected.
