Local Black community reacts to Buffalo mass shooting

It’s been a few days since the mass shooting in Buffalo. However, for many people in the Black community locally, it is still fresh on their minds.

For Kevin George, hearing what happened in Buffalo is very upsetting.

"It saddens my heart to see that people are still killing people based off of the color of their skin," said George, a local barber.

George says it’s important for parents to talk to their children about racism. Buffalo police say 18-year-old Payton Gendron targeted the Tops Friendly Market because it was in a predominantly Black community.

"This man was only 18-years-old, and he drove over three hours targeting a Black community. We have a problem," said Deacon Jerry Ford, a Troy resident.

Deacon Ford says he and others in the Black community are saddened that this continues to happen. Data from the FBI shows hate crimes against Black and Asian Americans are rising.

"What happened Saturday is a direct reason why we need to have these conversations, not only with our political leaders, but our children and with all members of our communities," said Deacon Ford.

For Lisa Good, what happened in Buffalo hits close to home.

"I mean, I know a lot of people in Buffalo. I have family in Buffalo, it’s heartbreaking," said Good.

Good is a grief counselor and works with families who are impacted by tragedies. She is the founder of Urban Grief.

She says if anybody is in need of help, they can reach out. She says we need to take action beyond and thoughts and prayers because an entire community is impacted by what happened.

"But as a Black person, it’s also the collective grief that we share as a result of a racialized incident like this," said Good.