Tops Supermarket

Witnesses to a racially-motivated attack at a New York state supermarket have been describing the horrific moment an 18-year-old white man pulled out a gun and began a shooting spree that left 10 people dead.

The attacker, dressed in military gear, drove into the Car Park at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo at about 2. 30pm (19:30 BST) and began livestreaming his rampage via a camera on his helmet.

" When I first saw him shooting he shot A Woman , he shot a deacon, he shot Another Woman . . And Then he went in The Store and he started shooting again, " one middle-aged man told reporters.

Katherine Crofton, a retired firefighter and doctor, she had been playing with her dog and smoking a cigarette when she heard A Shot from her front porch.

" I didn't see him at first, I turned around and I saw him shoot this woman, " She Said .

" She was just going into The Store . And Then he shot Another Woman . She was putting groceries into her car. I got down because I did not know if he was going to shoot me. "

The suspected gunman has been identified In Court documents as Payton Gendron, of Conklin, New York .

Of the 13 victims shot, police Said eleven of them were black. The Authorities say it was a racially motivated attack in what is a predominantly black neighbourhood.

Inside the " packed" supermarket, operations manager Shonell Harris told Buffalo News she was putting out groceries when The Shooting happened.

" I Heard a noise, And Then it got louder and closer, and everybody started running" She Said .

Hearing the gunshots, Ms Harris Said she made for the back exit, and ran around to The Front of The Store to look for Her Daughter , who was also working inside the supermarket.

At The Front of The Store , She Said she saw The Gunman , clothed " like he was dressed for the army" shoot another person.

She then ran back around to the back exit, where she found Her Daughter . " I just grabbed her, I hugged her, " She Said .

" It's like A Nightmare . . you see this on TV, you hear about it on TV. . But I never thought I would be one of them. "

Four Tops Supermarket employees were among those killed during The Attack , police Said .

Inside The Store , one Security Guard - a retired Police Officer - Fired multiple shots, But The Gunman 's bulletproof vest stopped one that hit him, police Said . The Gunman then killed The Guard and stalked through The Store firing at Other People .

Ken Stephens, a member of a local anti-violence group, who was at The Scene , told the New York Times: " Bodies were everywhere. "

Witness Katherine Crofton Said that after the shootings inside the supermarket, The Gunman came outside.

" The guy walked out of The Store , The Cops were just screaming at him, and he just stood there, " She Said . " It was like he wanted them to shoot him. "

The attacker was arrested by police and has been charged with first-degree murder.

Afterwards, local residents gathered at The Scene . Among them was Marilyn Hanson , 60, who told The New York Times she had raced to The Store after hearing The News to make sure Her Daughter , who lived nearby, was not hurt.

Finding her safe, Ms Hanson - who shops at The Store often - Said : " My Daughter was so scared because that could've been me in that store. "

" If a Black Man did this, he'd be dead, too, " she added, referring to the fact that The Suspect had surrendered and had been taken into custody by police.

A member of The Local government council, Ulysees Wingo Sr. Said most of the shoppers at the supermarket were black and that he knew some of The Victims .

" This is the largest mass shooting to date in The City of Buffalo, " he told reporters.

" I don't think anyone here in The City of Buffalo thought that something like this could ever happen, would ever happen. "

Source of news: bbc.com