Morning News Brief

Western NY is in mourning for the 10 people killed in the TOPS Market in Buffalo on Saturday when an 18 year old gunman wearing body armor and a combat helmet opened fire in a racially targeted attack.  The shooter had driven from an area near Binghamton on Friday to target the TOPS store because it was frequented by black customers according to a manifesto he posted online.  He had made threats to his school in 2021.  President Biden and the First Lady are planning to visit Buffalo Tuesday to speak on the shooting and the “epidemic of hate in our country.”  TOPS Friendly Markets is providing shuttle service to other stores for shoppers and charities have been set up to help the victims of the shooting.  Erie County’s Crisis Services is giving free mental health support to those impacted by the shooting.  Buffalo churches are holding special services for the victims.  

TOPS Friendly Markets released a statement Sunday:  The Tops family is heartbroken over the senseless violence that impacted our associates and customers at our store on Jefferson Avenue.  We are working quickly to make sure that all of our associates have access to counseling and support that they may need.  Tops has been committed to this community and to the city of Buffalo for decades and this tragedy will not change that commitment. We are working to find alternatives for our customers in this community while the store is closed and will provide updates in the near future.

A Minor has been issued an appearance ticket after they stole a van from the Crestwood Child Center in Henrietta and drove down Jefferson Road Saturday.  Police say they responded to reports of a reckless driver around 8pm and arrived to see a minivan rear end a stopped car at a red light.  The driver then continued through the intersection, and as deputies attempted to pull them over, the driver did not comply. They continued through Henrietta into the city of Rochester, striking multiple vehicles on the way, including a patrol vehicle on Mt. Hope Avenue near Robinson Drive.  The driver finally stopped, and was identified as a juvenile. The child was the only person in the vehicle, and was taken to a local hospital for precautionary measures. Nobody else was injured.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding New Yorkers that if they see newborn fawns not to approach them or try to pick them up.  May and June are the birthing season for deer.  Often mother does will give birth in shaded areas and then the fawn will wander a little and then lie down.  They spend most of the first couple of days lying in grass, leaves, or sometimes in the open.  They don’t have the instinct or strength to run away yet and the mother will leave them alone some of the time.  They are usually ok but if a human comes near and stays the mother may be frightened away and not return to nurse.  If you see a fawn that is obviously injured please call the DEC for a wildlife rehabilitator who can help.