Buffalo Branch NAACP is a 501c4 organization, donations are not tax deductable
On May 14, 2022, a white supremacist domestic terrorist inflicted one of the most significant mass casualty events in the history of Buffalo, NY, when he opened fire on unsuspecting grocery shoppers at a Tops Friendly Market in the heart of Buffalo’s East Side. The East Side of Buffalo population is predominantly African American; this perpetrator intended to cause death and mayhem that will forever impact the lives of those who experienced his violation firsthand and the surrounding community. That day, in his violent rampage, he ended the lives of 10 innocent upstanding citizens while wounding three more. However, 1 of his victims exemplified the true character of the community, security guard & retired police officer Aaron Salter Jr, when he fought back to protect others. Without a doubt, more people would have been lost that day without his valiant efforts.
The nine other victims were mothers, brothers, sisters, and our next-door neighbors who got unjustly shot down while trying to provide for their families. Their names are:
- Roberta A. Drury of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 32
- Margus D. Morrison of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 52
- Andre Mackneil of Auburn, N.Y. – age 53
- Aaron Salter of Lockport, N.Y. – age 55
- Geraldine Talley of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 62
- Celestine Chaney of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 65
- Heyward Patterson of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 67
- Katherine Massey of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 72
- Pearl Young of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 77
- Ruth Whitfield of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 86
The three wounded victims were:
- Zaire Goodman of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 20 (treated and released from ECMC)
- Jennifer Warrington of Tonawanda, N.Y. – age 50 (treated and released from ECMC)
- Christopher Braden of Lackawanna, N.Y. – age 55
While we can never erase the trauma of that day, we can all pitch in to ease the financial burden the effects of losing a loved one can place on a family.
The terrorist purposely targeted this Tops location because he knew mainly African Americans would be there and because this area is known as a “food desert.” Availability of fresh fruits and vegetables is low if not for this one Tops market within several miles. He wanted to make the people of this community fear obtaining their necessities. We will not allow that to happen. By expanding the availability of fruits and vegetables and other numerous resources in this community, we can eliminate this food desert.
The proceeds of this fund go to the community surrounding this Tops Friendly Market and the Jefferson Avenue area. With the collaboration of Buffalo NAACP, Mona’s House, Crews Control Media, we intend to help this community heal, build, and thrive. Please help us make that come to fruition with your donation.
Buffalo is a strong community, and we will come back better than ever from this. The future is bright, and we will never let this terrorist or like-minded individuals destroy our will.