Payton Gendron, the teen who opened fire at Tops Friendly Markets last May, killing 10 people, has been sentenced to life in jail today.
The 19-year-old was handed 10 life sentences – one for each victim. The sentences would run concurrently.
EB reported how Payton carried out the murder with the evidence of racism.
Payton cried and said he regretted his actions as he was sentenced to life in prison during an emotional court hearing Wednesday, according to CNN.
‘I’m very sorry for all the pain I forced the victims and their families to suffer through. I’m very sorry for stealing the lives of your loved ones.
‘I cannot express how much I regret all the decisions I made leading up to my actions on May 14,’ Payton Gendron, wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, said in court.
‘I did a terrible thing that day. I shot and killed people because they were Black. Looking back now, I can’t believe I actually did it.
‘I believed what I read online and acted out of hate. I know I can’t take it back, but I wish I could, and I don’t want anyone to be inspired by me and what I did.’
An impassioned victim impact statement from the sister of one of the victims of the Buffalo supermarket shooting was interrupted when an unknown person lunged at the teenage shooter, disrupting the courtroom.
The man was quickly restrained and the proceeding resumed after about 10 minutes, with more emotional outpouring from people who lost loved ones or were themselves wounded in the attack.
‘You killed my sister,’ Barbara Mapps told Payton Gendron, 19, at the sentencing at Erie County Court on Wednesday morning, February 15.
In the end, the judge sentenced Gendron to life in prison on each of the terrorism and murder charges and offered a stern rebuke of him.
‘There is no place for you or your ignorant, hateful and evil ideologies in a civilized society,’ she said.
‘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.’
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