Judge Dismisses Buffalo Shooter's Defense Argument: Not All Nearby Black Victims Were Killed in Hate Crime Charge

A federal judge has dismissed a motion to eliminate a hate crime charge against Payton Gendron, who fatally shot 10 Black individuals in a racially charged attack at a Buffalo supermarket. Serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, Gendron's case includes a 27-count federal indictment with multiple hate crime allegations. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo upheld that victims were specifically identified, countering defense claims of vagueness. Gendron’s attorneys aim for strategic legal victories ahead of the federal trial, which begins with jury selection in January 2026.