President Joe Biden called on Americans to “address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of America” after the mass shooting that took place in Buffalo, New York.
The attack was carried out by an 18-year-old who sought to kill black people at a grocery store.
Biden said it was up to the nation to denounce gun violence, and called for Americans to “work together” to address the stain.
“I wanted to say a word about yesterday’s mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. A lone gunman,” he said, “armed with weapons of war and a hate-filled soul, shot and killed ten people in cold blood at a grocery store on Saturday afternoon. Jill and I, like all of you, are praying for the victims and their families, and a devastated community,” said Biden.
“I’ve been receiving updates from my team in the White House, that’s in close contact with the Justice Department. We’re still gathering the facts. Already, the Justice Department has stated publicly that is investigating the matter, as a hate crime, racially motivated act of white supremacy and violent extremism.
“As they do, we must all work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of America. Hearts are heavy once again, but our resolve must never ever waver. No one understands us more than the people sitting in front of me. Moms, dads, children, and family members, about how those folks in Buffalo feel today when they got the call.
“They were pulled into, it’s as if you got pulled into a black hole in your chest. There’s no way out, Jill and I know. We know no memorial, no gestures can fill the void in the hearts they have now or that you, you who’ve lost someone feel as well.”
President Biden will visit Buffalo with First Lady Jill Biden on Tuesday, according to a statement from the president’s Twitter.
“Jill and I pray for the victims, their families, and devastated community from yesterday’s mass shooting in Buffalo, New York. Our hearts are heavy once again but our resolve must not waver, we must work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of this nation,” said Biden in a tweet.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul invited the president to make the visit on Sunday, saying: “I appreciate his outreach & the opportunity to tell him about my hometown’s strong, resilient and fighting spirit.”
