Gunman in Racist Attack at Buffalo Supermarket Charged With Federal Hate Crimes, Could Face Death Penalty

The accused shooter in the racist attack at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York last month has now been charged with federal hate crimes.

Per a report from the Associated Press, 18-year-old Payton Gendron—who was previously charged in connection with the attack at the state level—now potentially faces the death penalty. 

Gendron is accused of fatally shooting 10 Black people at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo on May 14. Days later, Gendron was indicted by a grand jury and entered a not guilty plea. He also later pleaded not guilty to a domestic terrorism-related charge.

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that Gendron has been charged with 10 counts of hate crime resulting in death, three counts of hate crime involving bodily injury and attempt to kill, 10 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence, and three counts of use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

An arraignment is set for Thursday. As alleged in the complaint, Gendron’s motive in the racist attack “was to prevent Black people from replacing white people and eliminating the white race, and to inspire others to commit similar attacks.” He is currently in custody with the U.S. Marshals Service.

This story is being updated.