President Joe Biden stated on Sunday that the public must work together to eradicate the hatred that has remained a stain on America's spirit in the aftermath of the terrible shooting in Parkland, Florida.
According to President Joe Biden, he has been receiving updates from his White House staff, which has been in contact with the Justice Department. The Justice Department has declared the incident a hate crime, calling it a racially motivated act of white supremacy and violent extremism.
Biden Administration Condemns Buffalo Mass Shooting
President Joe Biden called New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday, offering his sympathies and assistance during this difficult time, as per a White House spokesman. Biden also reached out to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. On Saturday, an 18-year-old white male is suspected of killing 13 people, 11 of them African-Americans, at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo.
The suspect, who was apprehended and charged with one count of first-degree murder, is accused of writing a manifesto that included plans to kill Black people and made repeated references to the great replacement theory, the false belief held by white supremacists that white Americans are being replaced by immigrants, Jews, and other minorities.
Conspiracy theorists on the far right have used the argument to target such organizations. The incident, according to Vice President Kamala Harris, "clearly demonstrates that there is an epidemic of hatred across our society, as seen by acts of violence and intolerance."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Democrats had taken action in Congress to attempt to minimize gun violence on several occasions and that the House would continue to explore legislation to strengthen efforts to combat domestic terrorism, as per NBC News.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a Democrat, described the incident as an act of domestic terrorism perpetrated by a racist, anti-Semitic white nationalist and urged to implement of common-sense gun safety laws.
However, legislation to increase background checks and impose additional protections for buying a gun has stagnated in the Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to proceed, and Republicans remain opposed.
Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a Republican, said the incident was a reminder of why we shouldn't mess with white nationalism. Kinzinger, who is not seeking re-election and has battled with his party several times since the Jan. 6 brawl on Capitol Hill, is not running for re-election.
Elise Stefanik, who represents a congressional district in upstate New York, was singled out by Adam Kinzinger as a proponent of white replacement theory, citing advertising paid for by Ms. Stefanik's campaign committee that resembled far-right replacement theory remarks. Ms. Stefanik's senior assistant, Alex deGrasse, stated on Sunday that the congresswoman had never pushed for or made a racist comment.
The shooting constituted an act of terrorism, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who would not specify whether the Biden administration would support new federal legislation criminalizing domestic terrorism, according to the New York Times.
Payton Gendron Faces Several Charges
Payton Gendron, 18, of Conklin, Broome County, was charged with first-degree murder in Buffalo City Court on Saturday evening. Additional charges will be considered in the following days, officials added. Brian Parker, Gendron's attorney, requested that his client undergo a mental test in court. Gendron was ordered to be jailed without bail by Judge Hannah. On Thursday morning, he will appear in court for a criminal hearing.
The defendant will face several charges, including hate crime charges, according to Erie County District Attorney John Flynn. Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered an inquiry by the state's Hate Crime Task Force. Gendron might face federal charges as well.
Last year, Gendron threatened an assault at his high school, prompting a request for a mental health examination, according to a law enforcement official. State officials investigated the event at the time. According to the official, the suspect's parents were collaborating with investigators who were not allowed to speak publicly.
Gendron attended Susquehanna Valley High School in Conklin, Broome County, and graduated in 2021. Given the extraordinarily sensitive nature of this topic, the district's superintendent issued a letter to families and employees on Saturday, stating that it would not comment on the Gendron's links to the school, USA Today reported.
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