White House, Governor Hochul, local leaders react to Buffalo mass shooting

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WHEC) — Saturday’s mass shooting at the Tops Markets location on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo is drawing a reaction across the nation.

Officials held a news conference on Sunday following the devastating mass shooting that took place at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo that killed 10.

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul went to Buffalo where she delivered a statement in-person.

Hochul, a Buffalo native, said she knows this community well, and to see a sense of security shattered by a "white supremacist" strikes us in our very hearts that there is an evil that lurks out there.

"Yes, I’m here to console the families in a community that is feeling so much pain right now,” Hochul said. “But mark my words we’ll be aggressive in our pursuit of anyone who subscribes to the ideals professed by other white supremacists and how there’s a feeding frenzy on social media platforms where hate festers more hate, that has to stop."

Hochul goes on to say that more will be done from the federal, state, and local levels to address gun violence.

"Anyone else who dares break the security that every citizen is entitled to—to make them feel victimized—you just picked a fight with 20 million New Yorkers," said Gov. Hochul.

President Joe Biden said he has been briefed by Homeland Security. He is scheduled to visit Buffalo on Tuesday.

In a statement, President Biden said:

“Tonight, we grieve for the families of ten people whose lives were senselessly taken and everyone who is suffering the physical and emotional wounds of this horrific shooting. We are grateful for the bravery of members of law enforcement and other first responders who took immediate action to try to protect and save lives. The First Lady and I are praying for the victims and their families, and hearts all across this country are with the people of Buffalo. We still need to learn more about the motivation for today’s shooting as law enforcement does its work, but we don’t need anything else to state a clear moral truth: A racially motivated hate crime is abhorrent to the very fabric of this nation. Any act of domestic terrorism, including an act perpetrated in the name of a repugnant white nationalist ideology, is antithetical to everything we stand for in America. Hate must have no safe harbor. We must do everything in our power to end hate-fueled domestic terrorism.”

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The heartache, is being felt here in Rochester.

In a statement, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said:

“The City of Rochester mourns with our neighbors in Buffalo after Saturday afternoon’s atrocious mass shooting. We pray for the families of the victims and everyone who has been impacted by this vile hate crime. I extend my support to Mayor Brown as he leads Buffalo through this difficult time.”

Tops Friendly Markets issued a statement Sunday morning which said:

"The Tops family is heartbroken over the senseless violence that impacted our associates and customers at our store on Jefferson Avenue. We are working quickly to make sure that all of our associates have access to counseling and support that they may need. Tops has been committed to this community and to the city of Buffalo for decades and this tragedy will not change that commitment. We are working to find alternatives for our customers in this community while the store is closed and will provide updates in the near future.