Charisa Bossinakis
Joe Biden has called for the end of ‘hate-fuelled domestic terrorism’, following the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where 10 people were killed.
The US President wrote in a statement: “Any act of domestic terrorism, including an act perpetrated in the name of a repugnant white nationalist ideology, is antithetical to everything we stand for in America.
"Hate must have no safe harbor.
“We must do everything in our power to end hate-fuelled domestic terrorism.”
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ABC News reports that Biden also spoke to a crowd outside the US Capitol building and revealed the Justice Department was investigating the matter as 'a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism'.
"As they do, we must all work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of America," he said.
“Hearts are heavy once against but our resolve must never, ever waver."
The President also added that the Buffalo gunman suspect, Payton Gendron, had a ‘hate-filled soul’.
Eleven out of the 13 people struck by gunfire at the New York supermarket were Black, according to ABC news.
The 18-year-old alleged offender also live-streamed the attack while dressed in a combat uniform shortly after entering the premises in a predominantly Black neighbourhood five kilometres north of downtown Buffalo.
Ten people were left dead, with three others critically injured.
After he surrendered to authorities, Gendron was charged with first-degree murder, with possibly more charges to follow.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the attack was a 'military-style execution targeting people who simply want to buy groceries'.
"It strikes us in our very heart to know that there's such evil that lurks out there," she said.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also shared that President Biden was in regular contact with the authorities and is constantly receiving updates about the incident.
"The President has been briefed by his Homeland Security advisor on the horrific shooting in Buffalo, New York, this afternoon. He will continue to receive updates throughout the evening and tomorrow as further information develops," she said.
ABC News also reports that US federal agents are currently interviewing the man’s parents about the shooting.
Gendron is also suspected of having written a 180-page manifesto posted online detailing his plan for the massacre.
In his manifesto, he reportedly repeatedly cited the ‘great replacement theory’, a white nationalist far-right conspiracy that non-white people are replacing white people in the world.