About This Video
In late August, I visited the Tops on Jefferson Ave in my hometown, Buffalo, NY. The site made national headlines in May of 2022 after an 18-year-old gunman went on a shooting spree in the store, killing 10 people and wounding 3 others. I just so happened to know the security guard who worked there many years ago, and he told me someone had filled in for him that day. The store has since reopened and is very clean and peaceful, and a memorial is being built outside the store. The store was eerily quiet and very friendly and peacful.
Background & Context
In August 2023, I found myself standing in the Tops grocery store on Jefferson Ave in Buffalo, NY, a place that’s seen unimaginable horror. It was in May of 2022 when a teenage gunman turned this everyday location into a scene of terror. I’ve known the security guard who should’ve been working that day for years. The fact that someone else was filling in for him that day is a chilling reminder of how random and cruel the world can be. But now, as the store reopens and a memorial rises, I’m reminded of our collective resilience. This story matters because it’s about more than just a tragic event; it’s about a community’s strength, and the human capacity to rebuild and remember.
Key Takeaways
- The randomness of life and its inherent fragility
- The resilience of a community in the face of tragedy
- The importance of mental health awareness
- The healing power of memorials
- The need for effective security measures
About Kevin Ross
Kevin Ross is a music and broadcast industry veteran with more than
30 years of firsthand experience spanning radio programming, on-air
talent, record promotion, voice work, publishing, and digital media.
He has worked every side of the business — from the air studio to
the boardroom — and built one of the longest-running digital platforms
dedicated to Black radio and music industry coverage.
30 Plus Years In is where that experience lives on video.
