Aaron Salter Jr. was a 55-year-old retired Buffalo Police Department lieutenant working as a security guard at the Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue when he was killed during a mass shooting on May 14, 2022. The attacker wore military-style clothing and body armor and opened fire in what authorities described as a racially motivated attack aimed at Black shoppers in the surrounding East Buffalo neighborhood. Salter moved toward the danger, confronted the shooter and fired; his rounds did not penetrate the attacker’s armored vest. The shooter returned fire and struck Salter, killing him during the exchange.

Law enforcement leaders called Salter a hero, saying his actions likely gave others the warning and time they needed to run and survive. The suspect, Payton Gendron, was taken into custody at the scene that afternoon and was quickly charged in state court; federal prosecutors also returned an indictment that included hate-crime counts and indicated they intended to seek the death penalty. Has anyone who knew Aaron or was in the store that day come forward with memories or details that could add to the record?