Federal Trial for Tops Mass Shooting Suspect to Remain in Buffalo

Judge denies request to move trial to Rochester, citing impact on victim families

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A federal judge has ruled that the death penalty trial for the suspected Tops mass shooter, Payton Gendron, will take place in Buffalo, New York. Prosecutors argued that moving the trial would make it more difficult for the families of the 10 victims killed in the racially motivated attack to attend. Gendron's defense attorneys had requested to move the trial to Rochester, but the judge denied the request. Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled to begin on August 17.

Why it matters

The Tops mass shooting was a devastating tragedy that shook the Buffalo community. Keeping the federal trial in the city where the attack occurred will allow the victims' families to more easily participate and provide closure for the local community.

The details

In May 2022, Payton Gendron allegedly carried out a racially motivated attack at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo, killing 10 people. Gendron has already pleaded guilty to state charges, and now faces a federal death penalty trial. Prosecutors argued that moving the trial to Rochester would make it more difficult for the victims' families to attend, and the judge agreed, denying the defense's request to relocate the proceedings.

  • The federal judge's ruling came on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled to begin on August 17, 2026.

The players

Payton Gendron

The suspected Tops mass shooter who faces federal death penalty charges.

Tops

The supermarket chain where the mass shooting took place in Buffalo, New York.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.