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A man armed with a rifle and bulletproof vest opened fire at a supermarket in the city of Buffalo, in the state of New York, killing at least 10 people before being arrested on Saturday afternoon, according to the police. security to the ‘Associated Press’ agency.
Ten people died this Saturday in the framework of a shooting near the supermarket ‘Tops Friendly Market’, in Buffalo, New York state.
Investigators believe that the man, the author of the shooting, could have been broadcasting the crime live. They would also be looking into whether he had posted a statement online, the official said.
The agent who spoke to the ‘Associated Press’ warned that the investigation was in a preliminary phase and that the authorities had not yet discerned a clear motive, but were investigating whether the shooting was racially motivated.
The supermarket is located in a majority black neighborhood about 5 kilometers north of downtown Buffalo. The surrounding area is mostly residential, with shops and a fire station.
BREAKING: The death toll has risen to 10 in a mass shooting at a Buffalo, NY, supermarket, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. https://t.co/N08wAwjwNc
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 14, 2022
Buffalo police confirmed via Twitter that the shooter was in custody, but did not identify the suspect. Law enforcement officials and a spokesperson for the supermarket chain did not immediately respond to messages from the news agency seeking further details.
The details of the scene reported by witnesses and authorities
Witnesses reported that the shooter was wearing military-style clothing in addition to the bulletproof vest, one of the officers said.
Braedyn Kephart and Shane Hill, both in their 20s, entered the parking lot just as the shooter was leaving. They described him as a white male in his 20s wearing camouflage clothing, a black helmet and what appeared to be a rifle.
“He was standing with the gun to his chin. We wonder what the hell is going on. Why does this guy have a gun to his face?” Kephart said. He got down on his knees. “He tore off his helmet, dropped the gun and was accosted by police.”
The police closed the block, flanked by the curious, and a yellow police tape surrounded the parking lot of the establishment.
The town’s mayor, Byron Brown, and Erie County Commissioner Mark Poloncarz were at the scene late Saturday afternoon, meeting in a parking lot across from the ‘Tops’ store.
More than two hours after the shooting, Erica Pugh-Mathews was waiting outside the store behind police tape.
“We would like to know the status of my aunt, my mother’s sister. She was there with her fiancé, they separated and went to different corridors,” he said. “A bullet narrowly missed her. She was able to hide in a freezer, but she couldn’t get to my aunt and she doesn’t know where she is. We’d just like to hear if she’s okay.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted that she was “closely following the shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo,” her hometown. She said state officials have offered help to local authorities.
Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted that she was “closely monitoring the shooting at a grocery store in #buffalo“, his hometown. He said state officials have offered help to local authorities. https://t.co/WPJYa5DGgE
— Voice of America (@VozdeAmerica) May 14, 2022
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office reported on social media that it had ordered all available personnel to assist Buffalo police. Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed on the shooting, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said.
The shooting comes just over a year after a March 2021 attack at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, in which 10 people were killed. Investigators have not released any information on why they believe the man accused of that attack was targeting the supermarket.
With information from AP, adapted from its English version
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