Why It Matters: The indictment builds on a previous first-degree murder charge filed after the attack and details the shooter's criminal charges — which now include 25 counts: Domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree; 10 counts of murder in the first degree; 10 counts of murder in the second degree, as a hate crime; three counts of attempted murder in the second degree, as a hate crime; criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, an armed felony.

• The charge for domestic terrorism accuses the shooter of killing at least five people "in whole or in substantial part because of the perceived race and/or color of such person or persons regardless of whether that belief or perception was correct." If convicted, this charge carries "a mandatory sentence of life in prison" (Associated Press).

Background: On May 14, 2022, 18-year-old Peyton Gendron murdered 10 people and injured three others with an AR-15-style assault rifle at Tops Friendly Market — a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. All 10 people killed were black; Gendron is white.

• The Associated Press reports: "Prosecutors said Gendron drove about three hours to Buffalo from his home in Conklin, New York, intending to kill as many Black people as possible. Shortly before opening fire, he posted documents that outlined his white supremacist views and revealed he had been planning the attack for months."
• The shooter has been in custody without bail since the shooting and is scheduled to appear in Erie County Court on Thursday afternoon for his arraignment, where he will be informed of his charges and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. In previous court appearances, he has pleaded not guilty.

Buffalo shooting suspect due in court on terror, hate charge (Associated Press)

Buffalo mass shooting suspect to be arraigned on 25-count grand jury indictment Thursday (7 News)

Grand jury indicts Buffalo shooting suspect on terrorism charge (Axios)