Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that a gunman dressed in military-style clothing and body armor opened fire with a rifle at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing at least 10 people.
Details about the number of additional people shot at Top Friendly Market and their conditions were not immediately available. Both officials were not allowed to speak publicly on the matter and did so on condition of anonymity.
One of the officers said investigators believe the gunman may have been streaming the shooting through a camera attached to his helmet. In the video, the officer said the gunman in military gear with a rifle in the front seat pulls towards the front of the shop and then points the rifle and fires bullets at people in the parking lot as he exits the vehicle. .
Read also | 1 killed, 3 injured in shooting outside Arkansas bachelor
It also shows the suspect entering a supermarket and shooting several other victims, the official said. According to officials, one of the victims was a recently retired police officer who was working as a security guard at the store.
One of the officers cautioned that the investigation was in its early stages and that officers had not yet seen a clear motive, but were investigating whether the shooting was racially motivated.
The supermarket is in a predominantly black neighborhood, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) north of downtown Buffalo. The surrounding area is primarily residential, with a Family Dollar store and fire station near the store.
Buffalo police confirmed the shooter’s custody in a tweet, but did not identify the suspect. Police officials did not immediately respond to messages from the AP seeking comment.
Witnesses said the gunman was wearing military-style clothing in addition to body armor, one of the officers said.
Read also | 1 killed, 10 injured after 2 shootings in Chicago
Bradin Keffert and Shane Hill, both 20, pulled into the parking lot just as the shooters were leaving. He described him as a white male in his late teens or early twenties, showing full camo, a black helmet and a rifle.
“He was standing there with a gun to his chin. We were like what’s up? Why is this kid with a gun in his face?” Keffert said. He fell on his knees. “He tore off his helmet, dropped his gun, and the police overpowered him.”
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and our condolences and prayers are with the victims and their families,” Topps Friendly Markets said in a statement.
The police closed the checkpoint standing in the queue of the spectators and the yellow police surrounded the entire parking lot. Mayor Byron Brown and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz were at the scene late Saturday, gathered in a parking lot across the street from the Topps store and expected to address the media.
Read also | 3 Mass Shootings In America During Easter Weekend; 2 dead
More than two hours after the shooting, Erica Pugh-Matthews was waiting outside the store behind the police tapes.
“We would like to know the status of my aunt, my mother’s sister. She was there with her fiancé, they parted ways and went in different corridors,” she said. “One bullet barely missed him. He was able to hide in a freezer but he couldn’t get to my aunt and didn’t know where he was. If he’s okay we’d like a word either way.” Huh.”
Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted that she was closely monitoring the shooting at a grocery store in her hometown of Buffalo. He said the state authorities have offered help to the local authorities. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office said on social media that it has ordered all available personnel to assist Buffalo Police.
Justice Department spokesman Anthony Cooley said Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed about the shooting.
The shooting comes a year after the March 2021 attack at King Sopers Grocery in Boulder, Colorado, which killed 10 people. Investigators have not released any information about why they believe the man accused in the attack targeted the supermarket.
Read also | 9 injured in gun attack at South Carolina club, second mass shooting in 2 days