BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The man who shot and killed 10 people, injuring three more, at Tops on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo on May 14, 2022 is in State Supreme Court in Erie County Wednesday morning for sentencing.
Family members of the victims and survivors were invited to provide victim impact statements to the court before Payton Gendron was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The sentencing is the next step in a long and multi-faceted legal process that began with the shooter's first appearance in Buffalo City Court on May 14.
7 News broadcasted and streamed the proceedings live. Read a timeline of the sentencing as it happened below.
11:35 a.m. Judge Susan Eagan imposed a sentence of life in prison without parole for each of the 10 counts of first-degree murder. For each of the three counts of attempted murder, Gendron was sentenced to the maximum, 25 years plus 5 years post-release supervision, to be served consecutively to all other sentences. For the weapon possession charge, Gendron was sentenced to the maximum, 15 years plus 5 years post-release supervision, also to be served consecutively. Sentencing has concluded.
11:24 a.m. Judge Susan Eagan addressed the court.
11:21 a.m. Payton Gendron addressed the court.
11:16 a.m. The defense spoke on Payton Gendron's behalf.
11:10 a.m. The prosecution spoke on behalf of those who did not wish to submit a victim impact statement. The prosecution has asked for a sentence of life without parole.
11:03 a.m. The brother of Andre Mackniel spoke to the shooter, saying his brother was the last person he could go to, and he has been taken from him.
11:00 a.m. The daughter of Andre Mackniel spoke, saying he went to the store on May 14 to buy a cake for her little brother on his birthday.
10:48 a.m. Michelle Spight, who lost both her aunt Pearl Young and cousin Margus Morrison, spoke to the shooter.
10:43 a.m. Bryan Talley, brother-in-law of Geraldine Talley, spoke to the shooter, saying to him "your words don't mean anything."
10:40 a.m. Christopher Braden, who was injured in the shooting, spoke to the shooter about the feelings of terror he experienced on May 14.
10:36 a.m. Stephanie Waters, the sister of Jennifer Warrington, who was injured in the shooting, spoke on systemic racism.
10:32 a.m. Zeneta Everhart spoke on behalf of her son, Zaire Goodman, who was shot while working at Tops and survived.
10:30 a.m. The judge returned to the bench and addressed the court room. The shooter was brought back into court and sentencing has resumed.
10:18 a.m. The sister of Katherine "Kat" Massey, Barbara Massey, spoke directly to the shooter about Kat's generosity and her dedication to the young people of Buffalo. During her statement, a man charged at the shooter. Court officers removed Gendron from the court room. Sentencing has paused.
Breaking: Courtroom has erupted. Gendron removed after he was lunged at. @WKBW https://t.co/bpzuN6ggxq
— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) February 15, 2023
10:15 a.m. Tamika Harper, the niece of Geraldine Talley spoke on losing her beloved aunt.
10:12 a.m. The mother of Roberta Drury, Leslie Vangiesen, spoke about losing her youngest daughter. Drury, called Robbie by her family, was just 32 when she was killed. She moved to Buffalo to care for her brother as he battled leukemia.
10:06 a.m. Wayne Jones, the only son of Celestine Chaney, spoke on watching the gunman shoot his mother on a live stream. Celestine Chaney is remembered for her beautiful smile. She was killed a week after her birthday.
10:03 a.m. The second speaker is Simone Crawley, the granddaughter of Ruth Whitfield, 86. Whitfield was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
9:55 a.m. The first speaker is Kimberly Salter, husband of Aaron Salter. As a security guard at Tops, Salter was shot and killed while trying to stop the gunman. Kimberly Salter read a passage from the Bible.
9:50 a.m. The judge has taken her seat and proceedings are underway. The sentencing of 19-year-old Payton Gendron has begun.
Judge Eagan just starting proceedings. The courtroom is packed with many family and friends of victims. @WKBW https://t.co/hdbBQkupKO
— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) February 15, 2023
9:35 a.m. Prosecutors, Mayor Byron Brown and Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia have entered the court room.
9:00 a.m. Family members of victims have begun to enter the court room at Erie County Court.
Families & surviving victims of Tops mass shooting are now heading into the courtroom for sentencing. @WKBW
— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) February 15, 2023
