Author: Alex LoDico

As a sign of solidarity in the wake of the May 14th mass shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops, the Erie County Legislature voted to confirm May 14th as, “Stand Against White Nationalism Day” in Erie County.

The resolution was sponsored by Chairwoman April N.M. Baskin later received co-sponsorship from 8 other legislators and ultimately passed unanimously 11-0.

Chairwoman Baskin said “White Nationalism is not just about the actions of organized militias and lone extremists, it has a long history of being perpetuated by all levels of government and in the private sector. White Nationalism results in minority communities being enmeshed in poverty and crime. White Nationalism is about hatred as well as the dominance of Whites in spaces of leadership using their power to determine the fate of non-whites in this country. It’s important that after May 14th, elected leaders take a stand against the overt and the underlying theories of White Nationalism.”

The Erie County Legislature has taken a number of steps to provide relief in response to the mass shooting, including the establishment of the Erie County Healing Hub at Johnnie B Wiley stadium, which offered 10-consecutive weeks of free trauma counseling and groceries to residents of East Buffalo.

Other efforts also include the call for investigations into the actions of 911 call takers who improperly handled emergency calls during the mass shooting and at a gathering for one of the victims on May 27. Both calls were made to 911 from zip codes on the East Side. The call takers in both instances were ultimately terminated.

The County Legislature also unanimously passed a resolution calling for the establishment of a resiliency center to offer permanent mental health and trauma counseling in the community. The federal Department of Justice and NYS Office of Victim Services have provided funding to operate such a center.

“We hope to have a committee discussion at the Legislature in the coming weeks to further understand how the $3 Million dollars allocated by Governor Hochul, and the funding provided by DOJ and OVS will be spent on the forthcoming resiliency center,” said Baskin. “The planning oversight is being handled by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. “

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man suspected in an April 4 shooting incident was arrested in Niagara Falls on Saturday following a standoff with Niagara Falls Police.

Curtiss Griggs, 37, reportedly fled NFPD after an attempted arrest around 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Police said he fled into an apartment building on Pine Avenue, near the intersection of 25th Street.

The scene was secured and after a standoff that reportedly lasted about two hours, Griggs surrendered and was taken into custody. He was charged with one count of assault in the first degree and one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree.

Griggs will be arraigned in Niagara Falls City Court on Monday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The mass shooting at Tops Markets on Buffalo’s East Side Saturday afternoon claimed the lives of ten people and injured three others.

Information on the victims of this tragedy is limited. However, we know Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo Police officer working as a security guard, was killed trying to protect those inside the grocery store. We’ve also learned that 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield was killed in the attack.

When the gunman, 18-year-old Payton S. Gendron of Conklin, New York, entered the store, Salter shot him multiple times, but the 18-year-old’s armored plating deflected the bullets. Gendron then shot and killed Aaron Salter.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia hailed Salter as “a hero in our eyes.”

“I had the pleasure of knowing him, great guy, well respected, well-liked. This is just horrific. It’s tragic. I don’t know what other words to describe it,” Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President John Evans said.

Evans said the Buffalo Police Department has reached out to Salter’s family to off their condolences.

Ruth Whitfield was the mother of former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield.

A staffer from U.S. Senator Tim Kennedy’s office, Zeneta Everhart, said her son Zaire was inside the store when the attack took place. He survived, suffering non-life-threatening injuries, and is home resting.

Everhart said her son “is truly divinely protected.”

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — One person has reportedly been taken to the hospital following a collision in Niagara Falls Saturday night.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Niagara Falls Boulevard and 71st Street in Niagara Falls. American Medical Response confirmed they transported a person to ECMC from the location.

Photos from the scene sent to News 4 by a viewer show the front of a sedan damaged and a motorcycle on the ground. A local fire unit responded to the scene.

News 4 has also reached out to the Niagara Falls Police and Niagara Falls Fire Department for an update, but has yet to hear back.

(Courtesy: Jerry Ciccarelli)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police are looking for help finding a missing woman.

40-year-old Danielle Robinson’s last known address was on W. Balcom Street. Police say she frequents Lackawanna and Niagara Falls and suffers from unspecified mental health issues.

The last reported contact someone had with Robinson was on April 1.

Anyone with information on where she may be or has been should call 911.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gun violence was the topic of conversation Saturday at McKinley High School in Buffalo.

The Sigma Gamma Rho sorority held its youth symposium at McKinley, which has been recovering from a shooting and stabbing outside the school over a month ago. The discussion focused on what’s contributing to gun violence and the penalties and impacts from carrying illegal weapons. Some say today was all about creating a dialogue.

“We need to hear from our young people, we need to hear their voices,” said Yolanda Gatewood, president of the sorority. “We wanted to make sure that they had the opportunity to know that we’re not just here to tell you what to do, but what you want us to do to try to help you guys out of this situation.”

Leaders there hope that message sinks in, and that young people think twice about their decisions, and reach out for help if they need it.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Preparations are underway for the Hospice Spring Bouquet Sale in Erie County, and this year, they’re going the extra mile.

Over 345 businesses and schools are participating in helping out the sale this year. Volunteers showed up in Orchard Park Saturday to take part in assembling around 23,000 bouquets for the upcoming sale.

The sale will begin Wednesday, March 9, and will run through Saturday, March 12.

For more information, click here.