BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — On Friday morning, family members of the 10 people killed in the Tops mass shooting along with survivors of the massacre were invited to a private meeting with federal officials in Buffalo's federal court.
There, plans were outlined as the Department of Justice announced it would seek the death penalty in the federal case against the gunman, 20-year-old Payton Gendron.
READ MORE: Department of Justice to seek death penalty in federal case against Buffalo mass shooting gunman
There was a mixed reaction. Some were pleased with the decision, others felt the white supremacist should suffer behind bars for the rest of his life.
"To me, it was a gut blow," said Michelle Fryson. Her aunt Peal Young and cousin Margus Morrison were both killed on May 14th.
"Never did I ever wish he would have the death penalty. I was hoping he would be able to take some time to process things for a very long time."
"I want him to suffer as long as I'm alive whether it's 20 years, 40 years, 60 years," said Mark Talley. His mother Geraldine was killed in the shooting.
"I want to see him suffer, whether in county jail or prison, close to city he affected so much that day surrounded by people he affected so much that day," said Talley. "I want him to suffer being around those people not knowing if this is his last day alive or not….I want him to be surrounded by people who are not afraid to kill him at any moment, at any second of the day."
"It's getting toward closure. With that said, it will never be closure after losing a loved one in a hatred attack by a white supremacist," said Talley.
"If you get the death penalty, you got away with ten bodies," said Frederick Morrison, whose brother Margus was killed in the attack. "You got away with murder with 10 people."
"Today was rough….I've said from the beginning that death penalty that I don't wish it on anyone, that’s my personal feelings," said Zeneta Everhart. Her son Zaire was shot and injured in the Tops mass shooting.
Everhart said she hopes the federal trial will allow the country to see and hear what really happened on May 14, 2022.
As Western New York mourns with the families who lost loved ones, 7 News wishes to honor their memory.
- Aaron Salter
- Ruth Whitfield
- Roberta Drury
- Pearl Young
- Katherine Massey
- Margus Morrison
- Celestine Chaney
- Geraldine Talley
- Andre Mackniel
- Heyward Patterson
You can watch the Buffalo Strong special in remembrance of the victims here.
