BUFFALO, February 15, 2022 – DiCello Levitt is proud to be representing the families of victims of last summer’s racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, as the shooter, Payton Gendron was sentenced today by a New York State court to life in prison without parole. DiCello Levitt partners Kenneth Abbarno, Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann and Amy Keller represent seven of the victims’ families, as well as other victims alongside renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, and prominent Buffalo attorney Terry Connors.
On May 14, 2022, Payton Gendron, a 19-year-old, White man, opened fire on patrons of a Tops supermarket in a predominantly Black area of Buffalo, New York. An investigation found that he had targeted the store because of its predominantly Black clientele and went there with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible. Gendron pleaded guilty on November 28, 2022, to 10 counts of first-degree murder, domestic terrorism motivated by hate, and attempted murder motivated by hate.
Despite the sentencing, Abbarno and Debrosse Zimmermann noted that more must be done to ensure complete justice for the victims’ families.
“Our clients are relieved that today’s sentencing provides a much-needed measure of closure. Their lives have been forever changed by the evil and senseless deaths of their loved ones who only wanted to do their grocery shopping on a summer day,” Abbarno and Debrosse Zimmermann said. “The emotional trauma our clients have endured is the very reason lawmakers must quickly sign a version of the New York State Grieving Families Act into law. Each day that passes without this law is another day that they are unable to achieve full justice. We implore the New York State legislature to make this act a priority in their service to the citizens of New York State.”
About DiCello Levitt
DiCello Levitt is dedicated to protecting human rights through the practice of law. We seek justice for our clients through human and civil rights litigation, class action and mass tort, public client, whistleblower, personal injury and business to business litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases—whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise—for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens’ rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations—and our capital—on the line for our clients.
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