The 10 victims of the mass taking pictures at a Buffalo, New York grocery store embody a church deacon, a beloved safety guard and the mom of a retired fireplace commissioner. The victims represented a cross-section of life within the predominantly Black neighborhood.
They had been gunned down by an 18-year-old white man who authorities say confirmed up on the retailer with the "categorical function" of killing Black individuals. Governor Kathy Hochul known as it an act of "white supremacy terrorism." Three different individuals had been wounded within the assault.
All however one of many individuals killed was over age 50, in accordance with police.
Aaron Salter
Aaron Salter was a beloved neighborhood member and safety guard who knew the patrons of Tops Pleasant Market by identify. Once they got here underneath assault from a gunman with a rifle, he sprang into motion.
Salter, a retired Buffalo police officer, fired a number of occasions on the attacker, who was sporting an armor-plated vest. The attacker was struck not less than as soon as however the bullet did not pierce his vest. Salter, 55, was shot and killed.
"He is a real hero, and we do not know what he prevented. There may have been extra victims if not for his actions. He is been retired for a number of years. He is been a beloved member and worker of Tops right here, working safety and he went down combating," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia stated Sunday. "We're certain he saved lives yesterday."
Yvette Mack remembered Salter, the safety guard, as somebody who cared concerning the neighborhood, sorted the shop and "tell us if we was proper or improper."
Mack would stroll to the shop to play lottery numbers and store. She stated she spoke to Salter shortly earlier than the taking pictures.
"I used to be enjoying my numbers. He stated 'I see you are enjoying your numbers!' I laughed. And he was enjoying his numbers too. Are you able to think about seeing somebody, and you do not know he is not going to go residence?" she stated.
Andre Macknell
Andre Mackneil, 53, of Auburn, New York, was on the town visiting family and was choosing up a shock birthday cake for his grandson.
"He by no means got here out with the cake," Clarissa Alston-McCutcheon stated of her cousin. She stated this kind of shock was typical for him. He was "only a loving and caring man. Beloved household. Was all the time there for his household."
Ruth Whitfield
Ruth Whitfield was the 86-year-old mom of retired Buffalo Hearth Commissioner Garnell Whitfield. In response to household lawyer Ben Crump, the "beloved spouse, mom and grandmother was the first caretaker of her husband and was coming again visiting him at a nursing residence when she was killed within the taking pictures."
"She did not reply her cellphone. And the nursing house is simply blocks from the scene right here. Upon her not answering her cellphone, [I] simply walked the scene right here and was capable of verify that her car was within the lot right here on the retailer," Garnell Whitfield instructed "CBS Mornings" on Monday.
When requested how his household is processing this information, Garnell stated, "It's totally tough. That is simply surreal. We're in a spot that we by no means anticipated to be. My mom was the glue that held us collectively."
Pearl Younger
Pearl Younger, 77, was a member of Good Samaritan Church of God in Christ for over 50 years, WIVB-TV experiences.
James Pennington described her as somebody who loved being glad and loved making different individuals glad.
"She was only a household particular person," Pennington stated. "It was not possible to have a foul day round her.
"She was the perfect, man. She was like really the perfect," he added. "So I might simply hope that individuals have a good time her."
Roberta Drury
Roberta Drury had not too long ago returned residence to dwell together with her mom, Dezzelynn McDuffie, who instructed The Buffalo Information that the 32-year-old lady — the youngest of the individuals slain — had walked to Tops to select up some groceries Saturday afternoon. Quickly, McDuffie noticed horrifying movies circulating on social media that appeared to indicate the gunman taking pictures her daughter simply exterior the shop.
She had not too long ago been serving to her brother get better from a bone marrow transplant, WIVB-TV reported.
Katherine Massey
Katherine Massey was 72. Her sister, Barbara Massey, known as her "an exquisite soul."
Heyward Patterson
Heyward Patterson, 67, was a deacon at a close-by church. He'd passed by the church's soup kitchen earlier than heading to the grocery store, the place he provided a casual taxi service driving individuals residence with their baggage.
"From what I perceive, he was aiding someone placing their groceries of their automobile when he was shot and killed," stated Pastor Russell Bell of State Tabernacle Church of God in Christ.
Bell stated Patterson would clear the church and do the rest that was wanted.
"He would meet my spouse and I on the door and escort us to the workplace. We by no means required him or requested him to do it. He simply did it out of affection," Bell stated.
Providers went on as traditional Sunday, nevertheless it was tough.
"It was fairly a wrestle, we needed to get by means of it and our hearts are damaged," he stated. "Deacon Patterson was a person who cherished individuals. He cherished the neighborhood simply as a lot as he cherished the church," he stated.
Celestine Chaney
Celeste Chaney, 65, was a breast most cancers survivor, prompting her household to ask individuals to put on pink ribbons in her honor, WIVB reported. She shopped twice a month together with her solely son, Wayne Jones.
"It doesn't matter what's happening together with your dad and mom," Jones stated, "you is perhaps arguing or combating. Simply take the time. You by no means know when they'll be gone."
Margus D. Morrison
Margus Morrison was 52 years previous and from Buffalo.
Geraldine Talley
Geraldine Talley was 62 years previous and from Buffalo.
