On Saturday (May 14), we shared the tragic news of a mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New York. The mass shooter was identified as 18-year-old Payton Gendron, who initially made headlines as “a self-proclaimed white supremacist who live streamed his attack.” Now, another man is being identified from the shooting, and his name is Aaron Salter Jr, a heroic security guard who was killed after firing back at Gendron.
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Aaron Salter Jr.: The Heroic Ex-Cop and Tops Market Security Guard In Buffalo, NY
Aaron Salter Jr. was a heroic ex-cop who served as a security guard at the supermarket. Salter is said to ma been killed while trying to protect patrons and bystanders, exchanging bullets and firing back at the mass shooter.
Before becoming a hero this weekend, Aaron Salter Jr. served as a Buffalo police officer for 30 years, joining the BPD right out of high school. And for the last four years, he has been working as a security guard at the Tops Friendly Markets store on the east side of the city. Salter Jr.s’ late mother, Carol, also worked as a cashier at a Tops Friendly Market in the city for 15 years, before serving as a front-end manager until her own retirement in 1986.
RELATED: Buffalo Mass Shooter Identified And Charged With First Degree Murder
Aaron Salter Jr. Killed By Buffalo Mass Shooter While Firing Back
On Saturday afternoon, a gunman, later identified as Payton Gendron, walked into the Tops Market — which was situated in a predominantly Black neighborhood — wielding a military style assault rifle in his hands. With hate in his heart, Gendron began to open fire, targeting several Black patrons.
Weaponizing the experience he had on the force, Salter Jr. withdrew his own firearm and attempted to take down the gunman. However, Gendron was wearing body armor and Salter Jr.’s bullets never made full contact with Gendron.
Tragically, Gendron returned fire and killed Salter Jr., whose family calls him an undeniable “hero” on a horrific day. Salter Jr.’s son, Aaron Salter III, says everyone was shocked, but he’s “pretty sure he saved some lives today. He’s a hero.” At home, Salter Jr. leaves behind three children.
In addition to the tragic loss of Aaron Salter Jr., Gendron is accused of shooting 13 people, 11 who were Black and 2 who were white. Of the 13 people shot, 10 are now dead.
Law enforcement officials in Buffalo have since apprehended Gendron and charged him with first degree murder, a Class “A-I” felony that he ended up pleading not guilty to; despite live streaming the tragedy and possessing a 180 page racist manifesto, detailing the attack and identifying himself as well.
Per this manifesto, he revealed that he was deeply anti Black, anti Jewish and a full out white supremacist. In addition the lengthy manifesto he uploaded online, further revealing his racist mentality, Gendron’s livestream showed his rifle and how on the end of it the word “N***er” was etched/painted onto it.
Following Gendron’s not guilty plea, the judge ordered a forensic exam be performed so that prosecutors can present the case in front of a grand jury. He is due back in court on May 19 for his felony hearing.
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