Dave Chappelle has announced that all the proceeds from his show will go to the families of last month's racially-motivated mass shooting.
Gunman Payton Gendron killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo.
Despite pleading 'not guilty', the 18-year-old has been indicted on 25 counts, including domestic terrorism charges, 10 counts of first-degree murder, 10 counts of second-degree murder as a hate crime, criminal possession of a weapon and three counts of attempted murder as a hate crime.
As we wait on the verdict, comedian Chappelle, who was performing a last-minute show in Buffalo, said he would honour the family members of the victims, as reported by Democrat & Chronicle.
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Kevin Sweeney, director of marketing and communications for Shea’s Performing Arts Center, said: "He said, and I’m paraphrasing, I came here to Buffalo to recognise the victims and for these families.
"We were notified on Wednesday. But it’s my understanding that he’ll do things last-minute."
Tickets went on sale on the Live Nation website at 10am on Thursday (2 June) and were said to have sold out within an hour.
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Buffalo lawyer John Elmore, who is representing the families of victims Katherine Massey, 72, and Andre Mackniel, 53, said he hoped Gendron is convicted on every count.
"This man was motivated by hate against people he never met for no reason other than the colour of their skin," he told AP.
Following the attack Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said in a press conference that the attack appears to have been racially motivated.
"This individual came here with the express purpose of taking as many Black lives as he possibly could," Mayor Brown said, according to CNBC.
Outside court, Brown also called Gendron 'a racist, hate-filled outsider who came to our community with the stated intent to kill as many black people as possible'.
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Authorities said he chose the store because of its location in a predominantly Black neighbourhood.
“There is overwhelming proof of the defendant’s guilt,” assistant district attorney John Fereleto said. “The defendant was caught at the scene of the crime with the weapon in his hands.”
Gendron has been held without bail since the shooting and is due back in court 7 July.
Prosecutors said Gendron drove about three hours to Buffalo from his home in Conklin, New York, to target African Americans. Shortly before opening fire, he posted documents that outlined his white supremacist views and revealed he had been planning the attack for months.
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The victims ranged in age from 32 to 86, while three other people were also wounded.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org
Topics: US News
