Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Longtime East Buffalo resident and community activist, Dr. Eva Doyle reflects on the community shaken by the Tops mass shooting on Jefferson Avenue that happened three years ago Wednesday.
Doyle says people in the community are doing their best to remember those killed, while also improve the area.
"We're still moving to have more progress," said Doyle in an interview with WBEN. "Our community and I see many people. They remember what happened, so people are trying to turn things around."
According to Doyle, a lot of community groups are working together to not just remember what happened three years ago, but also to stem the violence seen in the community over the years.
"We have people who are starting programs. We have people who have made a determination to support the Black businesses on Jefferson. We have the Friday Night Live, which brings people together in unity," Doyle noted.
When reflecting on that day back in 2022, Doyle says she easily could have been one of the victims.
"Every Saturday, I always shop at Tops. I call it our beloved store, and I would go there," she said. "I found out later on that the killer, in his manifesto, he had listed a lot of other streets not too far from Tops, and my street was [listed]. I was alarmed that my street was listed there, because I'm only about five or 10 minutes from Tops."
For the three-year remembrance of 5/14 on Wednesday, Dr. Doyle has one request.
"I'm calling for people to turn on their porch lights in memory of those who lost their lives," Doyle asked. "Everybody is trying to do something in their own way. We have a lot more work to do. We will continue to do it, and we have a lot of voices who are coming together, and I think that's a good thing.
"I would also ask the entire City of Buffalo to do what they can do, no matter where you live. The North side, East or West. This tragedy has affected all of us."
Doyle adds she has flowers in the front of her house in remembrance of the 10 lives lost in the racially motivated shooting.
A prayer service will be held at the Merriweather Library on Jefferson Avenue at 10 a.m.