Federal Death Penalty Trial for Racist Tops Market Shooter to Remain in Buffalo

Judge denies motion to move trial to New York City, citing need for victim families to attend

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:22pm

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A federal judge has ruled that the death penalty trial for Payton Gendron, the racist gunman who killed 10 Black people at a Tops Market in Buffalo in 2022, will be held in Buffalo as requested by prosecutors. The judge denied a motion to move the trial to New York City, citing the need for the victims' families to be able to attend the proceedings.

Why it matters

The Tops Market shooting was a devastating racist attack that shocked the Buffalo community. Holding the trial in Buffalo will allow the victims' families to more easily participate and bear witness to the proceedings, which is an important part of the judicial process for such a high-profile and traumatic crime.

The details

Gendron, who is from Conklin, New York, drove to Buffalo and opened fire at the Tops Market on May 14, 2022, killing 10 Black people and wounding 3 others. He broadcast the murders live on Twitch. Gendron has already been sentenced to 11 life sentences without parole after pleading guilty to state charges. Federal prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty for Gendron on hate crime charges. Jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled for August 2026, with the trial to follow.

  • On February 13, 2026, the judge blocked a motion to move the trial to New York City.
  • On March 10, 2026, the judge ruled that the trial will be held in Buffalo as requested by prosecutors.
  • Jury selection is scheduled for August 2026, with the trial to take place sometime afterward.

The players

Payton Gendron

The racist gunman who killed 10 Black people at a Tops Market in Buffalo in 2022. He has already been sentenced to 11 life sentences without parole for state charges and now faces federal hate crime charges where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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What’s next

Jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled for August 2026, with the trial to take place sometime afterward.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of ensuring victims' families have access to high-profile trials, even when there are motions to change the venue. The judge's decision to keep the trial in Buffalo demonstrates a commitment to supporting the community impacted by this horrific racist attack.