White supremacist killer ‘agrees to plead guilty’ to charges six months after murdering 10 people

The white supremacist that killed 10 people in a racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket intends to plead guilty to all charges against him, according to lawyers representing the victims’ families.

Payton Gendron, 19, will appear in court on Monday, according to the court. His lawyers did not respond to calls or emails on Thursday, and prosecutors declined to comment on the nature of the trial.

John Elmore, an attorney for the families of two of the 10 black people killed in the shooting, said Gendron’s lawyers have announced in recent weeks that he intends to plead guilty to all counts in the charges and to waive his acquittal. doing his right. appeal.

Elmore said he was willing to confirm the plan following news reports of the expected plea Thursday.

Terrence M. Connors, who represents the relatives of seven of the victims, said Gendron’s lawyers also informed him of the plan.

Payton Gendron, 19, will appear in court on Monday, according to the court. His lawyers did not respond to calls or emails on Thursday, and prosecutors declined to comment on the nature of the trial

Ten people (pictured) were killed in the shooting at the Buffalo supermarket. Gendron’s attack targeted black people and was inspired by radical ideologies he encountered on internet platforms

Gendron said in his writings that he targeted the Tops supermarket because many black people shopped there

Gendron posted an image of the gun he used in the attack online. He wrote vulgar words, including the names of other white supremacists

FBI investigators at the scene of the Tops Supermarket shooting in Buffalo

Ruth Witfield, 86, mother of former Buffalo fire commissioner Garnell Witfield was among those killed in the killing spree

Relatives spoke fondly of those killed in the shooting: Roberta Drury (left) “made the whole room smile and laugh” as Pearly Young (right) spent 25 years feeding needy residents in Buffalo

Celestine Chaney was also one of 10 people who were fatally shot at the Buffalo supermarket while shopping for strawberries. She was a breast cancer survivor

“We’ve known for some time that it’s likely that he will enter a plea of ​​guilty on Monday to each charge in the 25-count indictment, and that when sentencing comes he will receive a life sentence without parole,” Connors said. .

A grand jury in June Gendron sued on charges of murder and attempted murder, as well as domestic terrorism and hate crime charges that would carry a mandatory life sentence.

Gendron, who is white, also stands apart federal charges of hate crimes which may be punishable by death.

Gendron drove about three hours to Buffalo from his home in Conklin, New York, intending to kill as many black people as possible at a store he chose because of its location in a predominantly black neighborhood. Shortly before opening fire with an AR-15 style rifle on May 14, he posted documents outlining his white supremacist views and revealed that he was planning the attack for months.

The victims, who ranged in age from 32 to 86, included eight customers shop guard and a church deacon who drove shoppers to and from the store with their groceries. Three people were injured but survived.

A spokeswoman for Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said the office was unable to comment on the reported plea because of a court-ordered gag order.

Connors, who is working with civil rights attorney Ben Crump on the case, said those involved agreed not to disclose the development until the hearing was included in the court schedule, which happened Thursday.

The AG’s report suggests Gendron relied on forums like Reddit to learn more about the tactical gear he would ultimately use in the shooting

The New York attorney general, whose office released the 47-page report, said similar online forces were responsible for shootings in Christchurch, Charlottesville, El Paso

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for an investigation into the role internet platforms played in the shooting.

Governor Kathy Hochul outside the convenience store where Gendron’s racist shooting took place. Buffalo is Hochul’s hometown

“This is just one chapter of responsibility for this horrible tragedy. And more chapters to come,” Connors said. “The families are focused right now on doing what they can to bring something positive to East Buffalo out of this terrible tragedy.”

When asked about the reported plea at a news conference to discuss preparations for an approaching winter storm, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Byron Brown said the families need justice.

“It’s going to be hard for the families, it’s going to reopen that wound,” Brown said, “but I think it’s good that this person is admitting guilt.”