Mass Shooter’s Secret Objective Discovered
(DailyVantage.com) – On Saturday, May 14, Payton Gendron allegedly opened fire at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, live-streaming the massacre as he shot 13 people, killing 10. Police were able to talk the 18-year-old, dressed in tactical gear and carrying multiple weapons, including an assault-style rifle, into surrendering. Authorities, including FBI Director Christopher Wray and Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, call this a hate crime as 11 of the 13 victims were Black. Now, they’ve discovered Tops was merely one of Gendron’s planned stops — he reportedly intended to continue the rampage down the street.
Before the shooting, authorities said Gendron performed “reconnaissance on the area.” In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Gramaglia told the hosts the suspect reportedly had plans to “drive out of [there] and continue [going] down Jefferson Avenue looking to shoot more Black people.” Gramaglia based those claims on a 180-page manifesto, which the suspect allegedly wrote. The document contains racist and anti-Semitic memes and repeated claims of a great Jewish conspiracy.
There Were Warning Signs
In 2021, Gendron purportedly displayed warning signs. After making a statement about wanting to carry out a shooting, New York State Police investigated the teen, who was a minor at the time. Authorities took Gendron to a local hospital, where he underwent a mental health evaluation during the investigation. His parents said they felt the incident was isolated and typical of a teen. They also said they didn’t think he had any violent tendencies.
A friend also spoke of Gendron’s obsession with guns and ammo and even mentioned the suspect becoming annoyed with his parents after they told him to get rid of his ammunition, despite them being pro-Second Amendment rights. At the scene, authorities recovered at least three weapons: the assault-style rifle, a shotgun and a hunting rifle, one of which had the “N-word” on it.
The Victims
The massacre’s fatalities ranged from their 30s to 80s. They include:
- Aaron Salter, 55
- Andre Mackneil, 53
- Celestine Chaney, 65
- Heyward “Deacon” Patterson, 67
- Geraldine Talley, 62
- Katherine Massey, 72
- Margus Morrison, 52
- Pearly Young, 77
- Roberta Drury, 32
- Ruth Whitfield, 86
Three others were injured but expected to recover. So far, police have charged Gendron with a single count of first-degree murder, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The case is still under investigation by local and federal authorities, who consider it a hate crime, and more charges, including civil rights charges, may be filed soon.
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