Shooting in New York, 10 people died

The 18-year-old white gunman shot dead 10 people and wounded three others at a New York supermarket (USA) before surrendering to authorities. Authorities call this a hate crime and “Racially motivated violent extremism”.

The suspect, armed with an assault rifle and wearing protective armor, appeared to have acted alone, according to authorities. He went from his driveway to Buffalo “a few hours away” and targeted the supermarket, in addition to broadcasting the attack live on the internet. Eleven of the 13 people hit were people of color.

When confronted with police, the suspect held a gun to his neck but the police asked him to surrender his weapon. Buffalo police officer Joseph Gramaglia added that one of those shot dead was a police officer, while three others were injured but are expected to survive.

Stephen Belongia, the FBI special agent in charge of Buffalo, said the attack would be investigated under federal law.

“This is a day of great grief for our community,” Buffalo Mayor Bryon Brown told reporters. “Many of us are familiar with this supermarket… We can’t let this hateful person divide our community or our country.”

A senior federal official identified the suspect as 18-year-old Payton Gendron. The official said investigators were looking into a “statement” believed to have been posted online by the suspect.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings in the US, the 10 deaths are the highest death toll in a mass shooting in the country this year. The case with the next highest death toll, at six, occurred in downtown Sacramento on April 3. Before that, six other people were also killed in a shooting in Corsicana, Texas, on February 5, and a similar number of people were killed in a shooting in Milwaukee on January 23.

Kathy Sautter, a spokeswoman for Tops Friendly Markets, said the company “Shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence” and condolences to the families of the victims. Sautter added, “Our top priority is the health of our associates and customers”.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said President Joe Biden was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security about the incident. “The president and first lady are praying for the lost and their loved ones,” she said.