BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The white gunman who massacred 10 Black shoppers and workers at a Buffalo supermarket pleaded guilty Monday to murder and hate-motivated terrorism charges, guaranteeing that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
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Payton Gendron, 19, entered the plea Monday in a courthouse roughly two miles from the grocery store where he used a semiautomatic rifle and body armor to carry out a racist assault he hoped would help preserve white power in the U.S.
He pleaded guilty to all the charges in the grand jury indictment, including murder, murder as a hate crime and hate-motivated domestic terrorism, which carries an automatic sentence of life without parole. Gendron also pleaded guilty to wounding three people who survived the May attack.
The plea comes at a time when many Americans have become nearly desensitized to mass shootings. In recent weeks, there have been deadly attacks at a Walmart in Virginia, at a gay club in Colorado and at the University of Virginia.
Just days after Gendron’s rampage in Buffalo, a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a school in Uvalde, Texas.
Gendron previously pleaded not guilty to separate federal hate crime charges that could result in a death sentence if he is convicted. The U.S. Justice Department has not said whether it will seek capital punishment.
Gendron used a legally purchased AR-15 style rifle in his attack on the Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo. Wearing body armor, he livestreamed from a helmet camera as he shot store employees and shoppers.
Those killed ranged in age from 32 to 86 and included an armed security guard died trying to protect customers, a church deacon and the mother of a former Buffalo fire commissioner.
White supremacy was Gendron’s motive. He said in documents posted online just before the attack that he’d picked the store, about a three hour drive from his home in Conklin, New York, because it was in a predominantly Black neighborhood.
He said he was motivated by a belief in a massive conspiracy to dilute the power of white people by “replacing” them in the U.S. with people of color.
Gendron surrendered after police confronted him as he emerged from the store.
Relatives of the victims have since called on Congress to address white supremacy and gun violence through legislation.
Too bad taxpayers will have to foot such a large bill for his life sentence.
A little current from old sparky would have been a much better alternative for this POS animal!
At least Payton Gendron is now being responsible. He’s wearing a disposable mask. Mask save lives. All these arrogant rodfim who walk around without disposable masks on are mamesh killing people. Dr. Fauci said on tv yesterday that the pandemic is roaring back. We must keep vaccinated and wear our masks. Vinishmartem.
why deos he need to “plead guilty” What kind of shpeil is this? We all saw he killed? Its was violent and malcious. Can anyone explain for the life of me why you need to dance a mass murderer around court and shower him with attention? (Very dangerous for copy cats too.) If we all see his sadistic acts on video is his guilt in doubt?
Secondly, why aren;t we sending him to the gallows and shotting squad? Now he pleaded guilty too. Having pity on mass murderer? What kind of sensiblle explanation is there? This guy should be off to the gallows before the court case started.
We need to start getting serious about tougher puninshments for mass murderers who’s guilt are viewable to all. We must pass a mandatory death penality for muss murderes and an expidated court case where not a full trial is needed. Its no vice to have pity on such people. Yes in this case I say black liver mat