According to an official familiar with the situation, the 18-year-old suspect Payton Gendron who opened fire at a Buffalo grocery on Saturday told authorities he was targeting the Black community.
Following his detention, the alleged gunman made unsettling claims about his intent and state of mind, according to the official.
The words were direct and packed with anti-Black sentiment.
Other evidence obtained through search warrants and other ways indicated Payton Gendron was “studying” similar hate acts and shootings, according to the official.
The news comes only one day after a shooter opened fire at a Tops Friendly Markets shop in Buffalo’s predominately Black area, killing ten people and injuring three more. Officials said 11 of the people who were shot were Black.
Officials identified the suspect as an 18-year-old from Conklin, New York, who allegedly penned a White nationalist manifesto online, drove 200 miles to the store, and live-streamed the incident on Twitch, according to authorities.
According to Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, the attack was a racist hate crime that will be prosecuted.
