Josh Allen releases statement on racially motivated attack in Buffalo
Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen took to social media on Saturday night to release a brief statement after a gunman killed at least 10 people in a racially motivated attack in the city.
“Extremely hard to express the emotions right now,” Allen tweeted. “Absolutely heartbroken for the victims and their families, and for the City of Buffalo.”
The police said the gunman, whom they identified as an 18-year-old man from outside the city, had streamed the shooting live online. He was taken into custody after the shooting at an outlet of the regional grocery chain Tops Friendly Markets.
The man was heavily armed and wearing tactical gear, the police said during a news conference on Saturday evening.
When the shooter exited his vehicle, he shot four people in the parking lot, BPD Commissioner Joesph Gramaglia said during a press conference. Three of them died and one is in the hospital. The shooter entered the store and opened fire on customers.
A retired Buffalo Police officer, who was working as a security guard, shot the gunman, but the 18-year-old was unharmed because he was wearing armor, Gramaglia said. The gunman shot a killed the retired officer.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that the gunman had a racial slur written on his weapon.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn will not confirm the existence of the shooter’s manifesto. He said they believe there was a “racial component” to the attack but won’t say more.
This attack is being investigated by the FBI as a hate crime and as violent extremism.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz first tweeted confirming the shooting: “I have been advised of an active multiple shooting event at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Street in Buffalo. Police are on scene. Please stay away from the area.”