Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Emotions ran high among the families of the victims and those watching during the sentencing of 19-year-old Payton Gendron, who shot and killed 10 Black people in a racially-motivated rampage in Buffalo.
The families of the deceased got a chance to address the shooter at the Erie County Courthouse and, after all the families got there chance to speak, Gendron finally addressed the courtroom, issuing an apology statement of his own.
"I am very sorry for all the pain I forced the victims and their families to suffer through," said Gendron. "I'm very sorry for stealing the lives of your loved ones. I can not express how much I regret all the decisions leading up to my actions on May 14th. I did a terrible thing that day. I shot and killed people because they were black. Looking back now, I can't believe I actually did it. I believed what I read online and acted out of hate. I know I can't take it back, but I wish I could and I don't want anyone to be inspired because of me."
This prompted reaction from one of the victim's family members, who shouted some things as she escorted out of the courtroom. "You don't mean none of that s--t. F--k out of here. You don't mean that s--t."
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown had comments regarding Gendron's apology.
"I think his response is too little, too late. The time to be remorseful was when the when the thought first came into his mind," said Mayor Brown. "The time to be remorseful was when he was driving hundreds of miles and over three hours to get to this community, that's when he should have felt remorse, stopped himself and turned back around."
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn also had some serious remarks. "I anticipate that the reason why he said what he said today, was to save his life in federal court," DA Flynn said. "That's the only reason why he probably said it because I, along with the mayor, agree that it's too little too late. To me, this was not heartfelt at all."
Gendron was sentenced to life without parole, but could potentially be sentence to death if it is decided on the federal level.