Buffalo Mass Shooter Pleads Guilty in Deadly Grocery Store Attack

Today, the man who killed 10 people and injured three others in a grocery store in a predominantly black neighborhood pleaded guilty to his crime.

Payton Gendron was a 19-year-old white male who posted his online footprint and expressed deeply troubling views about race. He pleaded guilty to one count for a domestic terrorist act motivated by hatred, 10 counts of first-degree, three counts of attempted killing, and a weapons possession offense.

These charges carry an automatic mandatory life sentence of imprisonment without parole.

CNN reports that defense attorney Brian Parker stated that the plea does not entitle him to a trial or appeal.

“This crucial step is condemnation for the racist ideology that fuelled his horrendous actions on May 14.” He stated, “Before he is sentenced, the victims of the attack and their families will have the opportunity to speak directly to the court, the community, and the client. “It is our hope, that a final settlement of the state charges will help keep the focus on victims’ needs and the community,” he said.

Gendron traveled for hours to the exact location of his attack. Authorities believe that Gendron was motivated by race 11 of the 13 victims were black. He still faces federal hate crime charges despite his guilty plea.

According to the federal government’s criminal case against him, the suspect “prevents Black people from replacing whites and eliminating the white races and to inspire others to commit similar attacks.”