Shoppers running routine errands and four grocery store employees, including a security guard, were among those shot in Buffalo, as more information became available about the victims of the attack. on Sunday from officials and relatives.
Much of the 10 people shot dead, who were not immediately named by police, remain a mystery. But the victims included:
Ruth Whitfield, 88 years old: Ms. Whitfield was a dedicated parishioner at Durham Memorial AME Zion Church for 50 years, where she sang in the choir, said daughter-in-law Cassietta Whitfield. Ruth Whitfield has lived in Buffalo for more than five decades, raising four children. In recent years, she has taken on the care of her husband, who is in a nursing home. Ruth Whitfield has eight grandchildren. Cassietta Whitfield said: “She was a devout woman who cared very much about her family.
Roberta Drury, 32 years old: Drury was on her way to Tops supermarket to buy groceries for dinner, according to her sister, Amanda Drury. “She was very lively,” said Ms. Drury. “She was always the center of attention and made the audience laugh.”
Aaron Salter Jr., 55 years old: Salter is a retired officer with the Buffalo Police Department and has worked as a security guard at the Tops grocery store where the attack happened since leaving the force. Described as a “hero” by the Buffalo Police Department commissioner, Mr. Salter confronted the gunman and traded with him as he entered the supermarket Saturday afternoon. Mr. Salter hit the suspect, but the man in a bulletproof vest stopped the bullet.
“He’s been in the police force for 30 years and nothing like this has ever happened,” said his son, Aaron Salter III. “He was just doing security work, and that guy had to go in there and take all these innocent lives for no reason.”
Celestine Chaney, 65 years old: Ms. Chaney was killed in the shooting, her son, Wayne Jones, 48, said. Ms. Chaney was visiting her sister, and the two went to the supermarket because Mrs. Chaney wanted strawberries to make her favorite shortbread, Mr. Jones said. “It was crazy that she was there shopping, because we went shopping together,” he said.
During filming, Ms. Chaney’s sister put it in the freezer, Mr. Jones said. “But my mom really couldn’t walk like she used to,” he said. “She basically can’t run.”
Mrs. Chaney was a single mother and worked at a clothing manufacturer and later made baseball caps before retiring. Mr. Jones is her only child, and she has six grandchildren.
