At least 10 people were killed in a shooting Saturday followingnoon at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, two police officers told The Associated Press.
Buffalo police had indicated shortly before that the alleged assailant had been arrested. The two officers are not allowed to speak publicly regarding the incident and therefore requested anonymity.
It is not known at this time how many other people were shot at the Tops Friendly Market store and the identity of the suspect has not been released.
The assailant entered the supermarket with a rifle and opened fire, one of the officials said. Authorities believe the man may have been livestreaming the shooting and are investigating whether he had posted a manifesto online, according to the official.
The official warned that the investigation is in its preliminary stages and that the authorities had not yet discerned a clear motive but are investigating whether the shooting had a racial motive..
The supermarket is in a predominantly black neighborhood regarding three miles north of downtown Buffalo. The surrounding area is mostly residential, with a Family Dollar chain store and a fire station near the store.
Police closed off the block, which was surrounded by onlookers, and police cordoned off the entire parking lot with yellow tape. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was on the scene and was scheduled to speak to the media later.
BREAKING: BPD on scene of a mass shooting at the Tops in the 1200 block of Jefferson Avenue. Police say multiple people have been struck by gunfire. The shooter is in custody. Motorists and residents are urged to avoid the area.
— Buffalo Police Dept (@BPDAlerts) May 14, 2022
New York Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted that she was “closely monitoring the shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo,” her hometown. She pointed out that the state authorities have offered her help to the municipal ones.
The Erie County Police Department said on social media that it has ordered all available personnel to assist Buffalo police.
I am closely monitoring the shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo. We have offered assistance to local officials. If you are in Buffalo, please avoid the area and follow guidance from law enforcement and local officials.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 14, 2022
The shooting comes just over a year following a March 2021 attack at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, that claimed the lives of 10 people. Detectives have not released information on why they believe the man accused of that attack chose the supermarket.
