BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Family members of the 10 people killed in the Tops mass shooting, along with survivors of the massacre, met with federal officials in Buffalo’s federal court on Friday. During the private meeting, the Department of Justice announced plans to seek the death penalty against 20-year-old Payton Gendron, the shooter.
The decision to seek the death penalty sparked mixed reactions among the family members and survivors. While some expressed satisfaction with the decision, others believed that the white supremacist should spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Michelle Fryson, whose aunt and cousin were killed in the shooting, described the announcement as a “gut blow.” She expressed that she had never hoped for the death penalty, instead wishing that the perpetrator would have to spend a long time processing the events of that day.
Similarly, Mark Talley, who lost his mother in the attack, voiced his desire for the shooter to suffer for as long as he is alive. He expressed a strong desire for the perpetrator to be surrounded by the people he affected that day, without knowing if it would be his last day alive.
Also in attendance was Frederck Morrison, whose brother was killed in the attack. He expressed a sentiment that giving the shooter the death penalty would mean he “got away with ten bodies,” pointing to the desire for a prolonged suffering for the perpetrator.
Zeneta Everhart, whose son was injured in the shooting, expressed personal feelings against the death penalty, hoping that the federal trial would reveal the truth about the racially motivated attack.
The attack on May 14, 2022, resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including Celestine Chaney, Pearl Young, Geraldine Talley, Aaron Salter, Heyward Patterson, Ruth Whitfield, Roberta Drury, Andre Mackneil, Kat Massey, and Margus Morrison.