BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Justice Department announced on Friday that it intends to seek the death penalty for Payton Gendron, the 19-year-old who killed 10 people in a racially motivated shooting at a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York in May 2022.
Federal prosecutors outlined the reasons for seeking the death penalty, citing Gendron’s intentional killing of the victims and the racial motivation behind the shooting. Gendron was charged with multiple violations of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, including hate crimes resulting in death and hate crimes involving an attempt to kill.
According to a criminal complaint, Gendron was influenced by a racist, far-right conspiracy known as replacement theory and aimed to “inspire others to commit similar attacks.” The markings on the rifle used in the shooting included phrases associated with his racist beliefs.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has previously pursued death penalty cases, but the department currently has a moratorium on the death penalty. Gendron was sentenced to life in prison without parole on state charges in February 2023. During the sentencing hearing, Gendron offered a brief apology for his actions.
The case of Payton Gendron is an ongoing and developing story. Please check back for updates on this case.