The tragic mass shooting on May 14, 2022, at the Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, New York, claimed the lives of ten beloved community members. These individuals were mothers, fathers, activists, and heroes whose legacies continue to shape the Buffalo community and national conversations on social justice and racial healing in 2026.
On a quiet Saturday afternoon, a racially motivated attack targeted the heart of Buffalo’s Black community. While the legal proceedings against the perpetrator have reached various stages of resolution in the years since, the focus of the city and the nation remains on the ten lives taken. In 2026, four years after the event, the "Buffalo 10" are remembered not as statistics of a tragedy, but as vibrant individuals who contributed decades of service, love, and leadership to their families and neighborhoods.
Profiles of the Ten Victims
To understand the magnitude of the loss, one must look at the individual lives that were interrupted. Each victim represented a pillar of the East Side community.
Roberta A. Drury (32)
Roberta Drury moved to Buffalo from the Syracuse area to support her brother during his treatment for leukemia. Known for her infectious smile and willingness to help anyone in need, she was at the grocery store to pick up food for dinner. In 2026, her family continues to advocate for bone marrow donation and leukemia awareness, turning her spirit of caregiving into a lasting mission. Roberta's presence in the neighborhood, though brief, left a mark on those who appreciated her "bright light" personality.
Margus D. Morrison (52)
A father of three, Margus Morrison was at Tops to purchase snacks for a weekly movie night with his children. He was known as a dedicated worker and a man who prioritized his family above all else. His children, now young adults in 2026, often speak at community events about the importance of fatherhood and the void left by his absence. Morrison was a fan of music and often helped neighbors with various tasks, embodying the "City of Good Neighbors" spirit.
Andre Mackniel (53)
Andre Mackniel was at the store to buy a birthday cake for his grandson’s third birthday. He was a resident of Auburn, New York, visiting family in Buffalo. His death on what should have been a day of celebration remains one of the most poignant reminders of the random cruelty of the attack. Mackniel was remembered by his family as a "gentle giant" who loved his children and grandchildren fiercely.
Aaron Salter Jr. (55)
Aaron Salter Jr. is widely recognized as a hero. A retired Buffalo Police officer working as a security guard at Tops, he engaged the shooter to protect the shoppers inside. While his shots did not penetrate the shooter's tactical gear, his actions allowed dozens of people to flee to safety through the back of the store. Salter was also a visionary inventor, working on a "water-to-energy" engine for vehicles. In 2026, scholarship funds in his name support young Black engineers and students pursuing careers in law enforcement and innovation.
Geraldine Talley (62)
Geraldine Talley was shopping with her fiancé when the attack began. She was a woman of deep faith and was known throughout her neighborhood for her expert baking and her "sweet soul." Her family remembers her as the person who kept everyone together, often hosting large dinners and ensuring that no one ever felt alone. In the years following 2022, her family has been vocal in the "Buffalo 5/14" movement, seeking to turn grief into community activism.
Celestine Chaney (65)
Celestine Chaney was a grandmother and a breast cancer survivor who had overcome immense health challenges in the years prior to the shooting. She was at the store to buy shrimp for dinner. Her son, Wayne Jones, has since become a prominent voice for gun safety and community resilience. Chaney was known for her sense of humor and her devotion to her six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Heyward Patterson (67)
Known affectionately as "Deacon Heyward," Patterson was a pillar of the State Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. He frequently acted as a "jitney" driver—giving rides to elderly community members who needed help getting their groceries home. He was in the parking lot of Tops when the shooting began, performing the same act of service he had done for years. His loss was a massive blow to the church community, where he was regarded as a spiritual leader and a friend to the marginalized.
Katherine "Kat" Massey (72)
Katherine Massey was a community advocate and a frequent contributor to local newspapers like the Buffalo Challenger and the Criterion. She wrote extensively about the need for better gun control and community investment in the East Side. To lose such a fierce advocate for the very neighborhood she lived in was a profound irony. In 2026, her writings serve as a blueprint for many of the urban renewal projects currently underway in the Jefferson Avenue corridor.
Pearl Young (77)
Pearl Young was a missionary and a substitute teacher who ran a food pantry in the Central Park neighborhood for 25 years. She was a woman who dedicated her life to feeding the hungry and educating the youth. Her family remembers her as a "true servant of God." Her legacy lives on through the continued work of her food pantry and the many students who were influenced by her kindness and discipline.
Ruth Whitfield (86)
The oldest victim of the attack, Ruth Whitfield was the mother of former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield Jr. She had just finished visiting her husband in a nearby nursing home and stopped at Tops for a few items. She was a woman of incredible dignity who had spent her life caring for her family. Her son’s testimony before Congress following the shooting remains a seminal moment in the national discourse on white supremacy and domestic terrorism.
Summary of the Victims and Their Legacies
| Victim Name | Age | Known For | Legacy/Honors in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roberta Drury | 32 | Caregiving/Family support | Bone marrow donation advocacy |
| Margus Morrison | 52 | Fatherhood/Community work | Youth mentorship programs |
| Andre Mackniel | 53 | Devoted grandfather | Family-first community initiatives |
| Aaron Salter Jr. | 55 | Heroism/Retired Officer | Engineering scholarships |
| Geraldine Talley | 62 | Baking/Faith | "Sweet Soul" community dinners |
| Celestine Chaney | 65 | Resilience/Grandmother | Gun safety advocacy |
| Heyward Patterson | 67 | Church Deacon/Service | Jitney service memorial funds |
| Katherine Massey | 72 | Activism/Writing | "The Pen of Jefferson" archives |
| Pearl Young | 77 | Missionary/Teacher | Expanded food pantry operations |
| Ruth Whitfield | 86 | Family Matriarch | Legislative reform advocacy |
The Impact on Buffalo’s East Side
The 2022 shooting did more than take ten lives; it attacked the only major grocery store in a neighborhood that had historically struggled with food insecurity. The Jefferson Avenue Tops was a "food oasis" in what many described as a food desert created by systemic disinvestment.
Reopening and Transformation
When the store reopened in July 2022, it was completely remodeled to include a memorial inside and a more community-focused layout. However, the psychological impact remained. By 2026, the neighborhood has seen the emergence of several community-led agricultural projects, such as urban farms and cooperative markets, intended to ensure that the community is never again dependent on a single point of failure for its nutritional needs.
The May 14th Memorial Commission
In the years following the tragedy, the May 14th Memorial Commission, appointed by state and local officials, worked to design a permanent outdoor memorial. In 2026, this site stands as a place of reflection. The design focuses on "The Honor of the Ten," using ten distinct pillars or elements to represent the unique lives lost, while also providing a space for the community to gather, heal, and continue the fight against racial injustice.
Social and Legal Developments by 2026
The legal aftermath of the 2022 Buffalo shooting was complex, involving both state and federal jurisdictions. In 2026, the community reflects on these developments as part of the healing process.
- State Sentencing: The perpetrator was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in early 2023. The sentencing hearing was notable for the powerful victim impact statements that shifted the focus from the crime to the humanity of those lost.
- Federal Case: The federal trial, which focused on hate crimes and the potential for the death penalty, concluded with a life sentence as well, following long-term negotiations and the preferences of several victim families who sought to avoid decades of appeals.
- Legislative Changes: New York State strengthened its "Red Flag" laws and increased oversight of social media platforms in the wake of the attack. These laws, while controversial in some circles, have been cited by Buffalo leaders as essential tools in preventing future domestic terrorism.
Healing and Moving Forward
In 2026, the phrase "Buffalo Strong" has evolved from a reactive slogan to a proactive commitment to equity. The city has invested millions into the Jefferson Avenue corridor, focusing on Black-owned businesses, affordable housing, and mental health services.
The trauma of 2022 remains, but the "Buffalo 10" are remembered through:
- The annual May 14th Remembrance Weekend: A city-wide event focusing on service and community bonding.
- Educational Curriculum: Local schools have integrated the stories of the victims into their history and social justice lessons, ensuring that future generations understand the cost of hate and the power of community resilience.
- Mental Health Resources: The creation of the Buffalo Resilience Center, which provides culturally competent trauma counseling specifically for those impacted by racial violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on May 14, 2022?
On May 14, 2022, an 18-year-old white supremacist targeted the Tops Friendly Markets in a predominantly Black neighborhood of Buffalo, NY. He killed ten people and injured three others in a pre-planned act of domestic terrorism. The attack was live-streamed and included a manifesto detailing the shooter's racist motivations.
Who were the heroes of the Buffalo shooting?
While all the victims are honored, Aaron Salter Jr., a retired police officer working as a security guard, is specifically recognized for his heroism. He confronted the shooter and fired several shots, which, though they did not stop the attacker due to his body armor, provided a distraction that allowed many shoppers to escape.
How is Buffalo honoring the victims in 2026?
By 2026, a permanent memorial has been established near the site of the shooting. Additionally, several scholarship funds, community gardens, and social justice initiatives have been named after the victims to ensure their contributions to the city are never forgotten.
What has changed regarding food security in Buffalo since the shooting?
The shooting highlighted the vulnerability of the East Side’s food supply. Since then, the city and private donors have funded several "food sovereignty" initiatives, including the Buffalo Go Green project and the African Heritage Food Co-op, to provide more grocery options and reduce the neighborhood's reliance on a single store.
Are there ongoing legal actions related to the shooting?
As of 2026, the primary criminal trials have concluded. However, civil litigation continues against social media companies and tactical gear manufacturers, with families seeking to hold these entities accountable for the roles their products or platforms played in the radicalization and equipping of the shooter.
Conclusion and How to Help
Remembering the 2022 Buffalo shooting victims requires more than just acknowledging a date on the calendar; it requires a commitment to the values they lived by—service, family, and community advocacy. In 2026, the best way to honor their memory is to support the organizations that continue their work.
If you wish to contribute to the ongoing healing of the Buffalo community, consider donating to the Buffalo 5/14 Survivor Fund or supporting local East Side initiatives like the Buffalo Resilience Center. Engaging in local advocacy for gun safety and anti-racism education is another practical way to ensure that the legacy of those lost continues to drive positive change. By focusing on the lives of the ten individuals taken, we ensure that their light continues to outshine the darkness of the event that took them.
