We are interrupting regular programming
to update you on a Community healing
after yesterday's mass shooting
at a supermarket in Buffalo.
Good afternoon, everyone I'm quality newing.
We got an update a couple of hours ago
from law enforcement and our elected
leaders as we learn more about the lives
lost during this horrific shooting.
Throughout the day there have been
vigils at the scene of the shooting
as we look live tonight it is still
an active crime scene with the FBI
bringing in special equipment.
The suspected.
Shooter is under Suicide Watch and
tonight the community is trying
to grapple with the deadliest mass
shooting in Buffalo history with
a focus on the victims,
we'll have a live report on that
in just a moment.
But first we start our coverage
here this afternoon with Channel 2's
Lauren Hall and the update we got from
officials earlier this afternoon.
Earlier this afternoon,
we heard from Governor Kathy Hochul,
Mayor Byron Brown,
Police Commissioner Joseph Gamalia and
other officials inside this Firehouse,
which is just about a block away from
the top store where this all happened.
Among the new details that
we learned about the case,
we got confirmation that the alleged
shooter was here in Buffalo,
and inside that store on Friday,
a day before the massacre. He was
in the Buffalo
area. He was right in
this area the day before
the warrants on social media platforms.
GPS technology that's going to
help us put a much better timeline.
We have identified some of
the locations that he was at.
We know he did some reconnaissance.
There is much more to do from the
social media companies themselves.
I want them to sit in the room,
look me in the eye and tell me
if you done everything humanly
possible to make sure that you are
monitoring this content the 2nd.
It hits your platform,
and if you're not then I'm
going to hold you responsible.
So prove to me that there's nothing
else that can be done because
they have a lot of resources,
so don't tell me you can't afford this.
There's a lot of technology
the Buffalo Police responded in less than
two minutes after this incident began,
and I want to say a special word of
thanks to the Buffalo Police officers,
because if not for their
swift response and courageous.
Actions more lives probably
would have been lost yesterday.
The FBI is still looking for
information on this case.
If you have any tips,
they've set up a special website
fbi.gov/buffalo shooting.
For now, I'm Lauren Hall reporting
on Jefferson Ave back to you.
Lauren, thank you as we learn
more about the victims.
People from all around the city
gathered outside the tops market early
this morning to remember the victims
killed and injured here just yesterday
this morning religious leaders.
They held a prayer vigil
right on Jefferson Ave.
Our Evan Kosloff was there and joins us.
Now live from the scene.
Hello Evan.
Hey there, yeah it's been just
over 24 hours since that horrific,
horrific shooting and the emotions
are still very raw for people.
It's been that way all day.
Let's just show you the scene first.
What it looks like here
at Jefferson and Landon,
you can see there's still a large crowd here.
There was just a prayer circle
that just finished up moments ago.
There's no one way people
are feeling about this.
You know, some people are just feeling
heartbroken by everything and shaken.
Others are angry and want change.
And let's talk about that vigil this
morning and show you a little video.
Of that vigil, there were dozens of
religious leaders from various faiths.
Their main message was one of
unity and resilience.
Calling for calm.
Take a listen.
But I pray that those of
us that remain alive, God,
you will bless us with a spirit of unity.
God, this too shall pass.
We're gonna survive this as well.
I just don't understand
why we gotta stand divided.
Not right. You
never think that that would happen here,
but Buffalo is the city of good
neighbors and we're gonna be OK.
Now we also heard at that vigil from a
young woman who asked not to be on camera
because she wanted to keep her privacy,
but she told us about losing her great
grandmother in this shooting and saying
that this her loved one was just so
important to their family and so of course,
they're just heartbroken.
And unfortunately,
this is the type of story that we're
going to hear more of in the coming days,
and weeks got to send it back to you,
Evan, thank you for that
report out at the scene.
We're going to hear more from Evan
and more from the scene later on on
Channel 2 news at 6:00 at the National
Peace Officers Memorial Service.
Today, President Joe Biden addressed
the mass, shooting his opening
remarks call on everyone to work
together and address the hate.
Jill and I.
Like all of you,
pray for the victims and their families.
And a devastated community.
I've been receiving updates
from my team in the White House.
That's in close contact with
the Justice Department.
We're still gathering the facts while
already the Justice Department has
stated publicly that is investigating
the matter as a hate crime.
Racially motivated act of white
supremacy and violent extremism.
As they do.
We must all work together to
address the hate that remains a
stain on the soul of America.
Hearts are heavy once again,
but our resolve must never, ever waver.
The annual ceremony in DC honors
officers killed in the line of duty,
one of the victims of yesterday's
shooting, Aaron Salter.
He was a retired Buffalo police
officer who was killed trying to
stop the gunman inside of tops.
We continue to learn more about
the victims of yesterday's mass
shooting reporter Emma Henderson
from our sister station WKYC in
Cleveland was at this morning's
vigil and spoke with someone
grieving the death of a friend Emma.
That's right, there are so many people
who here who have come to grieve.
Actually, I'm going to take a step back
and let you see this growing memorial.
There were just a few flowers here,
you know, just a few hours ago
and it just keeps piling up,
piling up, piling up.
We keep hearing so much more about how
this tops is more than a grocery store.
It's a gathering place and that the
community here has relied on it for
access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Which is why Buffalo, peacemakers,
they've been here passing out groceries
and making sure neighbors don't go without.
As the store remains a crime scene
and one of the men leading the
charge is doing so in honor of a
friend who would donate his time,
bringing people who didn't have
transportation to this tops,
he was one of those killed yesterday.
They don't have cars,
they don't they, no buses,
he's just taking him home back and forth.
You have a family.
You have a beautiful son and
they ****** him from him.
He loved his children.
He man can see and he loved got us all
he wanted to do is just help people.
Like he said, all he wanted to
do was help people so they made
sure they were out here today.
There was a whole army of them making
sure people get fed in Buffalo.
Emma Henderson Channel 2 news. Emma,
thank you very much for that report
and thank you for joining us.
We've got our full team in
learning more about the victims.
Be sure to watch Channel 2 news at
6:00 o'clock for a full hour long
newscast with everything we know
about the latest mass shooting in
America that happened right here
at home that's followed by NBC
Nightly News that starts at 7.
We'll see you there.