Buffalo dedicates park-like space to victims on second anniversary of racist mass shooting

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The city of Buffalo on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of a racist shooting that killed 10 Black people with the dedication of a memorial space honoring the victims.

The outdoor area of ​​the Tops supermarket targeted in the attack is anchored by a sculpture titled “Unity”, which features purple metal pillars representing each person killed. Three golden pillars represent the wounded.

The sculpture by Buffalo artist Valeria Cray and her son, Hiram Cray, is part of the new 5/14 Tops Honor Space, a small park-like space with benches, pillars and gardens.

“It’s still so traumatic,” said Lisa Kragbe, a Buffalo resident, as she sat on a bench in the ceremonial area before a ceremony attended by officials from the city, state and federal government. She said people still have trouble getting into the store, which was renovated after the attack.

Payton Gendron, who is white, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to charges of murder and hate-motivated domestic terrorism. Gendron, who was 18 when he livestreamed the massacre after driving three hours from his home in Conklin, N.Y., could face the death penalty if convicted of the crimes federal haters in progress. He has pleaded not guilty in this case.

The Honor Space also includes a pear tree donated to Buffalo as part of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s Survivor Tree Seedling Program. Seedlings from a tree pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center after 9/11 are being sent to communities that embody the spirit of the tree.

A larger memorial for the victims is planned off-site.