Biden decries Buffalo shooting as "domestic terrorism," says "white supremacy is a poison"
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BUFFALO, N.Y. - The city of Buffalo continues to mourn those who lost their lives in Saturday's supermarket shooting.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the site Tuesday where 10 people tragically died in a racist-fueled shooting targeting Black people.
As CBS2's Elijah Westbrook reports, it was truly a day of comfort and healing in Buffalo. The community has been coming together to help those who are impacted by Saturday's shooting.
It comes as the president who visited the city Tuesday did not hesitate to condemn the racist attack, calling it an act of domestic terrorism and white supremacy.
The president and first lady laid a wreath on a makeshift memorial site across the street from the supermarket, where 10 people lost their lives in Saturday's attack.
The first couple spent the early afternoon in the city meeting with the victims' families and those in the community who continue to be impacted by Saturday's deadly shooting.
"In America, evil will not win, I promise you. Hate will not prevail. White supremacy will not have the last word," Biden said.
In an emotional speech, Biden condemned the act, calling it domestic terrorism while denouncing the ideology of "replacement theory," a racist and antisemitic notion that non-white immigrants will replace whites in the economy and culture.
"What happened here is simple and straightforward - terrorism," Biden said. "A vicious thirst for power that defines one group of people being inherently inferior to any other group. A hate that, through the media, and politics, the internet, has radicalized angry, alienated, lost and isolated individuals into falsely believing that they will be replaced."
The president made a call to action.
"We can address the relentless exploitation of the internet to recruit and mobilize terrorism. We just need to have the courage to do that, to stand up," Biden said.
Just a few miles from where Biden spoke, the process of healing began. The neighborhood that many say is now traumatized came together in numbers, showing strength and unity.
"We need more of this. This right here is beautiful," Buffalo resident Rene James said.
James and her baby rely heavily on the Tops supermarket, which is now temporarily closed. Seeing the volunteers and organizations out there Tuesday meant so much.
"This was mainly my Tops to come to when I go grocery shopping," James said.
The need is so great in the neighborhood.
"We ran out of food with an hour on the first day. We had three pallets on there and we've been coming everyday and seeing the need and the people hurting. Praying over people," one person said.
It has been a powerful day of comfort.
The organizations say they'll be out there throughout the rest of the week providing meals to the community, which is hurting. There has been an outpouring of support for an area people call home.
Questions remain as investigation continues
Long Island spiritual leaders address frustration and hopelessness caused by mass shooting
In the wake of the mass shooting in Buffalo, officials and religious leaders gathered on Long Island on Tuesday to pray for peace and comfort.
As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, leaders addressed some of the strong feelings about the attack that range from frustration to hopelessness.
Read more here.
Source: Suspect also considered attacking predominantly Black elementary schools, Hasidic Jewish communities
A law enforcement source told CBS News investigators are looking into other potential targets considered by the suspect.
The source says other potential targets included elementary schools and other grocery stores in predominantly Black communities in Buffalo.
The suspect also considered targets in Hasidic Jewish communities in Lakewood, Tom's River, and Jersey City, the source told CBS News.
Biden decries shooting as "domestic terrorism," offers condolences and reassurance to victims
President Joe Biden spoke in Buffalo Tuesday after this weekend's mass shooting.
Biden assured the families of the victims that while they are currently feeling a "black hole" in their hearts, there will come a day when the memory of their loved one will bring a smile to their faces.
Biden opened his remarks by offering remembrances of the victims of who were killed and injured.
"Jill and I bring you this message from deep in our nation's soul. In America, evil will not win, I promise you," Biden said. "But the evil did come to Buffalo."
"Ten lives cut short in a grocery store, three others wounded by a hateful individual," Biden added. "What happened here is simple and straightforward: Terrorism. Terrorism. Domestic terrorism."
Biden decried the "replacement theory" ideology of the gunman, which white supremacists have embraced.
"White supremacy is a poison. It's a poison. It really is. Running through our body politic. It's been allowed to fester right in front of our eyes," Biden said. "The ideology of white supremacy has no place in America. None."
"To the families: From your pain, may you find purpose," he added.
Buffalo community resources
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $2.8 million in funding to help the Buffalo shooting victims and surrounding community.
The state and its partners are offering transportation for groceries, as well as mental health services and help covering funeral costs.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Buffalo's history may have played a role in the attack
We are learning how the history of Buffalo may have played a factor in Saturday's mass shooting, with the area identified as one of the most segregated in the country.
Officials say the alleged gunman in Buffalo's mass shooting chose his targets because of the high percentage of Black people in that particular area - an area that has been fighting for change.
"This food shop, one of the few places we can get nutritious food to eat, and you attack it," said Henry Louis Taylor, Jr., director of the University of Buffalo's Center for Urban Studies.
While police say a white gunman went on a racially motivated shooting spree, killing 10 Black people, Taylor told "CBS This Morning"'s Tony Dokoupil he believes the gunman attacked the only full service grocery store in the area because the community it served was speaking out against segregation.
"The people in the neighborhood fight against conditions of the neighborhood. It makes them a target," Taylor said.
An analysis found the area, overall, is the sixth most segregated in the whole United States, and economic conditions for Black people have not improved in three decades.
The professor says as the city grew, lower income Black people were pushed out to the east side, to the most undesirable lands.
"There are over 100,000 Black people in Buffalo, and the fact that there is only one major supermarket serving them is a disgrace. But that took years of struggling and fighting, this didn't just happen," Taylor said.
What was once a symbol of hope for many has now become sacred ground. Some say they can never return, while loved ones of those who were killed continue to mourn and question why something like this could happen.
"I wont see my baby no more. I'm hurt. All over a racist act, come on man," said Tramane Brice, Roberta Drury's boyfriend.
Drury's best friend, who wanted to conceal his identity fears what could result from the actions of incarcerated individual #157103.
"They will celebrate him for what he did," he said. "This sends a message to other white supremacists. This sends a message to other people that they can do this, walk out, drop their weapon, get not a scratch on them, go to jail and be celebrated for it."
The gunman pleaded not guilty to first degree murder over the weekend, and is now under suicide watch in jail.
How to watch Biden in Buffalo
The president and first lady are scheduled to visit the supermarket where the shooting took place before meeting with victims' families and other community members.
He is then expected to deliver remarks at 1 p.m. from the Delavan Grider Community Center.
You can watch live on CBS News New York or the CBS News app on your mobile or streaming device.
Learning more about the lives lost
CBS2's John Dias has new details about the 10 people killed in Sunday's mass shooting and the legacy they leave behind.
Their names are: Roberta Drury, 32, Margus D. Morrison, 52, Andre Mackneil, 53, Aaron Salter, 55, Geraldine Talley, 62, Celestine Chaney, 65, Heyward Patterson, 67, Katherine Massey, 72, Pearl Young, 77, and Ruth Whitfield, 86.
Interfaith prayer vigil in NYC
Mayor Eric Adams joined New Yorkers for a prayer vigil Monday at Bethel Gospel Assembly in Harlem.
People from all faiths came together in mourning, hoping to heal and inspire change.
Gov. Hochul looking into Red Flag Law
As CBS2's Political Reporter Marcia Kramer reported, one unanswered question is how the 18-year-old suspect was able to legally purchase his weapon despite New York's Red Flag Law that should have alerted gun dealers to his erratic behavior.
Gov. Kathy Hochul says her office is looking into how it was handled.
Shooting hits close to home for communities of color
"What happens when you don't stand up to this type of hate"
For the last few years, the Department of Homeland Security has warned the country of the growing problem of white supremacists, calling it the gravest terror threat to the United States.
CBS2's Astrid Martinez spoke with experts Monday on how to spot and stop the war brewing at home.
Complete team coverage
CLICK HERE for the latest on the investigation
CLICK HERE for a photo gallery from the scene
CLICK HERE for 5 things we know about the attack