By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Consulate in New York announced on Sunday morning, May 15, that there were no Filipino casualties in the reported “racially motivated” mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, that left 10 people dead on Saturday afternoon (US time).
Consul General Elmer Cato said there are about 540 Filipinos residing in Buffalo.
New York authorities reported that three others were wounded by the 18-year-old male suspect Payton Gendron, who wore tactical gear and live streamed the shooting.
He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, according to reports. He allegedly confessed to being a white supremacist and hated that the black race is increasing.
Four of the victims were store employees, including a security guard.
According to reports, Gendron drove to the Tops Friendly Markets and first shot four people at the parking lot.
He then shot the security guard who engaged him on his way inside the store.
The US Department of Justice is investigating the incident as a “hate crime and an act of racially motivated violent extremism”.
“The Justice Department is committed to conducting a thorough and expeditious investigation into this shooting and to seeking justice for these innocent victims,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. – gb
