Buffalo Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In First Court Appearance

The Buffalo shooting suspect, who shot and killed ten people, was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on Saturday evening.

Payton Gendron, 18, was charged with first-degree murder. He appeared before the judge dressed in a paper smock and handcuffed, according to WKBW.

“Mr. Gendron, you’ve been charged with multiple counts of murder in the first degree,” Judge Craig Hannah said.

The judge asked Gendron if he understood the charges he was facing, and he responded that he did. He said he could not afford an attorney, and public defender Brian Parker was appointed to represent him. 

Suspect now before judge “I understand my charges”. Public defender put in not guilty plea. @WKBW https://t.co/kO9agGx2gE pic.twitter.com/FAmDDFQXgR

— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) May 14, 2022

Parker entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client. Gendron is being held without bail, and his next hearing is set for May 19.

Police say Gendron drove several hours from his home in Conklin to the Tops supermarket in Buffalo. He began his shooting spree in the parking lot before moving inside the store, where he continued shooting. Gendron was taken into custody by Buffalo police.

Thirteen people were shot, including 11 Black victims and two white victims. Ten people were killed during the shooting, and three suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 

The FBI is investigating the shooting as a racially-motivated attack and hate crime.