Grand jury indicts suspect in Buffalo mass shooting
NEW YORK -- A grand jury has indicted the white man accused of killing 10 Black people in the mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket.
The 18-year-old suspect faces a first-degree murder charge. Authorities continue to investigate the possibility of hate crime and terrorism charges, CBS2's John Dias reported Thursday.
The suspect, dressed in a prison jumpsuit, appeared in court for a felony hearing Thursday morning. Standing before the judge, he remained silent as he was formally charged with murder.
"Payton, you're a coward," one person shouted as the suspect was escorted back to his cell.
Others protested outside court.
"This is really near and dear to my heart. It really hit home. It hurt. I've been going to counseling every day to get it off my chest," Buffalo resident Sharon Doyle said.
The suspect's court-appointed attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf during his initial court appearance hours after the shooting on May 14.
According to investigators, Payton Gendron drove three hours to carry out a racially-motivated rampage that killed 10 Black people and injured three more at a Tops supermarket on Buffalo's East Side.
The majority of people who live near the scene are Black, which is why investigators said Gendron picked the store, which remains closed. Tops is offering free bus rides to another location about three miles way.
John Parsons, the president of Tops, said the company would be reopening the store, but couldn't give a timeline of when.
"We want to make sure that it is done right, and we open it in a respectful manner for our associates, our employees and for the community at large," Parsons said.
On Thursday afternoon, the FBI said it had concluded its evidence gathering at the supermarket, CBS2's Dick Brennan reported.
"We understand the important role that Tops plays in the community and the hardship that it caused of the lack of access to this important resource," FBI Special Agent Stephen Belongia said.
Jeremy Hoyle and his wife brought their 3-year-old daughter to a memorial.
"My family and I, we want to be allies. I figured it's important to show our daughter that and that's why we're here. I am upset for our community and I am upset for our city," Hoyle said.
In the wake of the massacre, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed two executive orders to enhance state gun laws and close loopholes by revising and widening the definition of a firearm to get dangerous guns off the street and trying to make ammunition traceable.
"The most serious threat we face as a nation is from within. It's not from the Russians, it's not from people elsewhere. It's white supremacism, it's white nationalism," Hochul said.
The governor is directing state police to more aggressively seize guns from potential shooters under New York's Red Flag Law and working to increase social media monitoring by law enforcement.
"The message to New Yorkers is we're going to continue to protect you," Hochul said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said she's launching an investigation into the social media companies used by the suspected gunman in Buffalo. The companies include Twitch, 4chan, 8chan and Discord, James said.
This terror attack again revealed the depths and dangers of these platforms that spread and promote hate without consequence.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) May 18, 2022
We are doing everything in our power to stop this dangerous behavior now and ensure it never happens again.
Late Wednesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that grows national resources to prevent domestic terrorism. Supporters of the bill say it will fill the gaps in intelligence sharing to better track and respond to growing threats.
Victims' families still coping with grief
There was a prayer vigil in Buffalo on Thursday night for the victims and their families, who are still coming to grips with their grief.
Robin Whitfield says her 86-year-old mother, Ruth, was her best friend.
"I keep seeing her face coming up everywhere I look, but I can't kiss her. I can't hug her," Whitfield said.
The two had been planning an evening out.
"We were supposed to go see the Temptations play that night, and I have the tickets still on my table. How dare you!" Whitfield said.
It was anger and agony for the Whitfield family, where one death devastated three generations.
"We just want to live in peace. My grandchildren are here, her great-grandchildren, my children, I'm scared for them," Ruth's son Garnell Whitefield, Jr. said.
Beloved deacon Heyward Patterson also died in the shooting. His son, 12-year-old Jake Patterson, covered his face as his mother cried.
"I need the village to help me raise and be here for my son because he has no father," Tirzah Patterson said.
Rabbi Jonathan Frierish sat with the family members of some of the victims as the alleged gunman appeared in court.
"They were stunned in silence and stillness. I mean, what do you do when the monster who has destroyed your family walks into a courtroom?" he said.
Rev. Al Sharpton's organization will be paying for the funerals for the 10 victims. Sharpton will delivery the eulogy at the first funeral on Friday.