Publication date: October 13, 2026
Incident date: May 14, 2022
Source: CNN
Location: Buffalo, New York, USA
Topic: Federal trial, hate crimes, mass shooting, death penalty
Article
Jury selection has begun in the federal trial of Payton Gendron, the gunman who killed 10 Black people at a Tops Friendly Markets supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in May 2022. The trial could result in a federal death sentence if he is convicted.
Gendron, now 23, is facing 27 federal charges, including hate crimes connected to the deaths. The attack was racially motivated, and investigators found evidence that he had embraced racist conspiracy theories.
Gendron has already pleaded guilty to state charges and is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. The federal case is a separate proceeding that could determine whether he receives the death penalty.
Jury selection and the trial process
Court officials began questioning prospective jurors on October 13. Approximately 700 potential jurors remained after an initial pool of about 1,200 completed questionnaires. The selection process is expected to take several weeks as attorneys assess whether candidates can fairly consider the evidence and the possible punishment.
The court plans to select 12 jurors and six alternates. Potential jurors are being questioned about their views on capital punishment, life imprisonment and their ability to evaluate the case impartially.
Opening statements are expected in December, according to local reporting.
Families continue to seek justice
The shooting devastated families and the Buffalo community. The 10 people killed were Black, and three others were injured. The attack became one of the most prominent examples of deadly racist violence in recent U.S. history.
Victims’ relatives have expressed different views about the death penalty. Some believe it should be pursued because of the severity of the crime, while others question whether an execution would bring meaningful relief or closure.
Gendron’s defense team is not expected to dispute his responsibility for the attack in the federal proceeding. Instead, the defense plans to present mitigating evidence about his background as jurors consider the appropriate sentence.
What happens next?
The federal trial will first address the charges against Gendron. If he is found guilty, a separate penalty phase will allow jurors to consider evidence and decide whether a death sentence is warranted.
The case remains an important legal proceeding for the victims’ families and the wider Buffalo community. The final outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the jury’s decisions.
Source note: This article summarizes reporting published on October 13, 2026. The federal charges and possible punishment are distinct from Gendron’s existing state life sentence.
Publication date: October 13, 2026
Incident date: May 14, 2022
Source: CNN
Location: Buffalo, New York, USA
Topic: Federal trial, hate crimes, mass shooting, death penalty
