Eleven African Americans and two other people were shot in Buffalo, New York. Officials say the shooting was racially motivated, and the suspect has been identified as an 18-year-old White man. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Jeffrey Gendron, faces ten counts of first-degree murder, ten counts of second-degree murder as a hate crime, and three counts of attempted murder as a hate crime. In addition, he is facing a charge of domestic terror and a weapons charge.
The suspect, Gendron, went into the store and began shooting customers. A security guard, a retired Buffalo police officer, fired at the suspect, but the bullets did not affect him because he was wearing heavy armor.
The security guard was killed immediately while the gunman started walking the store’s isles to continue shooting people. As soon as the police arrived Gendron, the gunman surrendered.
The suspect has made alarming statements describing his motive and state of mind following his arrest. According to an official familiar with the investigation, he said he was targeting the Black community. This is a hate crime, and We stand with the Black community in this difficult time.
Eleven of the thirteen people shot were African American, while two were white. Four of the victims were employees of the store, three of whom sustained non-fatal injuries. The fourth victim, security guard Aaron Salter, was killed as he attempted to stop the suspect. Mayor Byron Brown referred to Salter as a “hero” who “tried to protect people in the store, tried to save lives, and in the process, lost his own life.” The police identified the other victims, ranging from 20 to 85.
The suspect is believed to have used the Twitch live streaming platform to broadcast a live video during the attack. The company has confirmed that the video was removed less than two minutes after the violence began. People walk through the parking lot as the suspect drives up in the video.
Being different or a minority in this country is a unique experience because we are no strangers to hate. The thing is, the Latino community knows hate when we see it. Yet, we come to this country looking for a better life and face many adversities.
The people who lost their lives were shopping the isles looking for deals on merchandise, thinking about what items they could find to make their surroundings more beautiful. They weren’t doing anything wrong and what happened to them was simply because they were different.
This country was built on the backs of minorities, whether they be Native Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, or any other group marginalized throughout history. And yet, we are still treated as second-class citizens in our own country. We are not given the same opportunities, the same respect, or the same treatment as those in the majority.
And it’s not just minorities who are targeted by hate, but also those who are seen as different. Whether it be because of their skin color, religion, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes them unique, they are often targets of hatred and bigotry.
It’s time for this to stop. It’s time for us to come together and stand up against hate in all its forms. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter who we are or what we believe in. We are all human beings, and we should all be treated with dignity and respect.
By Diane Revilla
