BUFFALO, N.Y. — The families of the victims in the Tops mass shooting in Buffalo all received the heartbreaking news by the end of the day Saturday.
Their lives ended too soon because of the violent actions taken by one person, according to police.
Often, in similar tragedies, the attention is drawn mainly to the person who committed the crime. However, the focus should be on the innocent lives that were impacted.
Aaron Salter, 55, was a retired police officer who served as a security guard at the Tops store.
Ruth Whitfield, 86, is the mother of retired Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield.
Pearl Young was 77 years old. She was a member of the Church of God in Christ where she served as a Sunday school teacher.
Heyward Patterson, 67 of Buffalo, was known to as a volunteer and deacon in the community, often taking seniors to appointements and to get groceries.
Roberta Drury, 32, was an Onondaga County native who moved to Buffalo eight years ago to support her brother, Chris Moyer, and his business, The Dalmatia Hotel.
Celestine Chaney, 65, was a devoted matriarch to her son, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchild. She was also a devout Christian who attended Elim Christian Fellowship in Buffalo every Sunday and participated in different women's ministries.
Katherine Massey, 72, was a member of "We Are Women Warriors," a Buffalo group that worked to keep gang violence out of Buffalo, while also working to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.
Andre Mackneil, 53, of Auburn, was reportedly purchasing a birthday cake for his young son when his life was taken. Those who knew him described him as a man with a big heart who would do anything for anyone.
Also killed in the attack:
- Margus D. Morrison, 52, of Buffalo
- Geraldine Talley, 62, of Buffalo
Zaire Goodman, 20 and Jennifer Warrington, 50, were both injured in the shooting, but have since been treated and released.
Christopher Braden, 55, remains in the hospital, but his injuries are considered non-life-threatening.