Buffalo shooter’s sentencing paused after man lunges at him in courtroom

The man who killed 10 people at a Buffalo grocery store May 14 was removed from an Erie County courtroom Wednesday after a man lunged at him during the tense sentencing proceeding.

The incident happened just after 10:20 a.m. as Barbara Massey, the sister of Katherine Massey, was speaking. Katherine Massey, known as “Kat,” was one of 10 people killed by Payton Gendron in a racist massacre at Tops Friendly Market.

“You don’t even know Black people,” Barbara Massey said. “Your little (expletive) decided to come and kill my sister.”

As she spoke, an unidentified man stood behind her before taking several quick steps toward Gendron, who sat near his attorneys. Before the man could reach Gendron, a clutch of courtroom officers stepped in to restrain him and pull him away.

Other officers swiftly escorted Gendron from the courtroom amid a chaotic scene. Reporters observing the sentencing described family members of the shooting victims walking out of the courtroom, some in tears.

Erie County Judge Susan Eagan, who is overseeing the sentencing, also left at one point. And Erie County District Attorney John Flynn came into the room to consult with prosecutors.

After about 10 minutes, Eagan returned to the bench and cautioned spectators against any further outbursts as she restarted the proceedings with further victim impact statements.