The Tops grocery store as seen on May 19, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. Photo: Libby March for The Washington Post via Getty Images
The white gunman charged with killing 10 Black people in the 2022 “racially motivated” mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to life in state prison on Wednesday.
Driving the news: Peyton Gendron, now 19, in November pleaded guilty to state charges, including one count of domestic terrorism motivated by hate, and will have no chance for parole.
What to watch: Gendron still faces 27 felony charges in federal court, including multiple counts of hate crimes that resulted in death. He has pleaded not guilty.
Details: Before he was sentenced Wednesday, Gendron made a formal statement of apology to the families of the victims. Attorneys for the families told the Buffalo News ahead of the sentencing that any apology from Gendron would be intended to dissuade the Justice Department from pursuing the death penalty in federal court.
- While Barbara Massey Mapps, sister of 72-year-old victim Katherine Massey, was giving her impact statement, an unidentified man charged toward Gendron in the courtroom before being stopped by police officers.
- Gendron was rushed out of the room by officers, and the proceeding was briefly halted.
Context: Gendron was indicted in state court on 25 counts that included 10 first-degree murder charges and three counts of attempted murder as a hate crime. The domestic terrorism count carries mandatory life without parole — no maximum or minimum.
What they’re saying: “There is no place for you or your ignorant, hateful and evil ideologies in a civilized society,” Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan said before sentencing Gendron.
- “There can be no mercy for you, no understanding, no second chances. The damage you have caused is too great, and the people you have hurt are too valuable to this community. You will never see the light of day as a free man ever again,” Eagan added.
- The judge said Gendron’s actions, and…
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