The white gunman that killed 10 Black people at a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York, was charged with federal hate crimes and could have the death penalty if convicted.
Payton Gendron opened fire in a predominantly Black area at Tops on May 14. He documented the moments leading up to the racist attack leading up to his violent rampage. Gendron already faces a mandatory life sentence without parole if he is convicted.
AP News reports the federal hate crimes charge is based partly on documents in which the shooter laid out his racist views and plan for the attack.
Gendron drove more than 200 miles from his home to carry out his attack in Buffalo. The 18-year-old fired off approximately 60 shots while wearing body armor and live-streamed the rampage.
His rifle had names of other people who carried out mass shootings, racist slurs, and sayings. He surrendered to the police upon exiting the grocery store.
FBI agents executed a search warrant at Gendron’s home, where they found a note from Gendron apologizing to his family for the shooting. He stated that he “had to commit this attack” because he fears “for the future of the White race,” which contributes to “The Great Replacement Theory.”
Agents also found a receipt for a candy bar from the grocery store from March 8 and also a layout of the store in an online diary.
AP News continues, “In his writings, Gendron embraced a baseless conspiracy theory about a plot to diminish white Americans’ power and “replace” them with people of color, through immigration and other means.”
“He has pleaded not guilty to a state domestic terrorism charge, including hate-motivated domestic terrorism and murder.”
