Buffalo Reveals Memorial Design for Victims of Racist Mass Shooting

Community and elected leaders in Buffalo revealed plans for a permanent memorial honouring the 10 black victims of a racist mass shooting at a local supermarket. The design, titled “Seeing Us,” features interconnected stone pillars and arches, along with a windowed building for exhibitions and events.

Selected from 20 submissions to the 5/14 Memorial Commission, “Seeing Us” was crafted by Jin Young Song and Douglass Alligood. The announcement comes just ahead of the second anniversary of the tragic attack, which occurred when an 18-year-old white gunman opened fire at a Tops supermarket on May 14, 2022.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State’s commitment of $5 million to the $15 million project during a news conference unveiling the design. Buffalo will contribute $1 million, with additional funds expected from a yearlong fundraising campaign.

“As we approach the solemn two-year anniversary of when our neighbours were senselessly slaughtered solely because of the color of their skin, we rededicate ourselves in supporting the East Buffalo community, remembering those we lost, and supporting those who were injured,” Governor Hochul stated.

The memorial will honour the nine shoppers, aged 32 to 86, and a retired Buffalo police officer who lost their lives in the attack. Three store employees were also wounded.

Rev. Mark Blue, chairman of the 5/14 Memorial Commission, emphasized that the victims’ families were consulted during the design selection process. “What happened on 5/14 was an act of senseless violence and hate,” he remarked. “It’s my intent to make sure we have a memorial that the families and the communities can be proud of.”

Payton Gendron, the perpetrator, is serving a life sentence without parole after pleading guilty to state charges of murder and hate-motivated domestic terrorism. He faces separate federal charges and could potentially receive the death penalty if convicted.

Tops Friendly Markets will commemorate the second anniversary of the shooting with another memorial near the store and a moment of silence at 2:28 p.m., the time of the attack.

Buffalo artist Valeria Cray and her son Hiram Cray created a sculpture titled “Unity for the Honor Space” for the memorial, which also includes 10 granite bollards.