The newly renovated store reopened its doors to the public on Friday, two months later it was the site of a mass shooting in which a white gunman, which police say was motivated by racial hatredopened fire and killed 10 people, all black. There was some division in the community about whether the supermarket should reopen so soon after the traumatic crime. But before Tops opened in 2003, Buffalo’s east side was considered a food desert, and residents fought long and hard to bring a grocery store to their neighborhood. Bills is a community activist who works with the Stop the Violence Foundation. He says Tops is more than just a grocery store. it is a community hub. Here’s part of his conversation with As It Happens guest host Robyn Bresnahan. Leroy, how was it going back to Tops today? It was very exciting to be back at Tops today. First of all, the Stop the Violence Foundation would like to give a shout out to Tops for going back into the community and repairing these Tops and letting us go back there. How did you feel walking through those doors and knowing what happened there? A lot of fun, really. Because a lot of the people I was seeing were people who were in the Tops before. There was a guard there that I knew and he asked me, “Hey, how’s it going?” I said, “I’m going to get me some chicken!” They were very famous for their fried chicken. So I went in and got me a nice batch of it, and we went out to the parking lot today and talked to the people in the parking lot and everyone there was really excited about Tops opening. There are still some naysayers. There were a few people there who said, you know, it was too soon to reopen the Tops. Kathryn Roberts takes a selfie with manager Curt Baker, who witnessed the rampage, during a tour of the friendly Tops market the day before it officially reopened. (Robert Kirkham/Reuters) I have to say, Leroy, I’m surprised to hear you use terms like “joyous” and “enthusiasm.” This is a different kind of place. A lot of times, when events like this happen, the community is really torn apart. It didn’t happen in Buffalo. We were together, and we held vigils, and we cried on each other’s shoulders, and we knew a brighter day was coming. So when this brighter day is finally here, you know, of course it’s not justice for what happened, but it’s a victory. It is a positive situation. And it’s not just a grocery store, is it? I mean, it’s a very important part of the community. Oh my god, you have no idea, lady. This community shop is a meeting place. People from all over the community come just to sit in the parking lot and talk to each other and laugh. And they don’t even have to go shopping, you know. They’re there to see old friends and everything. It is a place where the whole community gathers to meet. And it was tragic what this young man did. And I pray for his soul. Sarah Jacobs and another protester hold signs outside Topps, protesting that it reopened so soon after the mass shooting. (Lauren Petracca/Reuters) You were actually at the supermarket the night before the shooting. And now we know the shooter was there too, and he blew the place up. How did you feel when you found out? I am a man of true faith and there is nothing I can do to fight the evils in this world. But with God, all things are possible… and I know he is watching over me. This is tragic that someone would have it in their mind and heart to be so hateful and be so deceitful. One of the people killed … in this incident is [Ruth] Whitfield. And, oh dear, he went to my church. He was just one of the sweetest people alive. And know that she suffered because she was going to get her husband—who was in a hospice, who visited him every day—some smoked turkey. He loved the smoked turkey. I visited him too, and he’s a character. But this entire Whitfield family experienced this tragedy. And as [Ruth Whitfield’s son] Garnell said: We’re not just hurt. we’re angry, you know, about the things that happen in this world. How can anyone have this kind of hatred in their heart for someone they don’t even know? Oh my god. But I am a person of faithful faith and feel that God is still in control. A photo of Ruth Whitfield, an 86-year-old victim of the Buffalo mass shooting, is displayed during her funeral at Mount Olive Baptist Church on May 28. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) I was really wondering if you could share one of your favorite memories of her because you must have thought of her as you walked into the store today and saw her name on the memorial. Actually I was. They have a new mural that sits between the falls when you first walk to the left, and her name is prominently displayed there. I’m a bus driver for the city of Buffalo too… and he was like, “Leroy, baby, you’re a little late today.” And I was like, “Okay, yes, I’m sorry Mrs. Whitfield.” And then he’d get really close to me and say, “It’s okay baby. I’m a little late too.” And we both laugh. It was something else. She was one of the best mothers this church could ever have. She always had everyone’s attention on her mind. He made. She was a person who gave of herself prominently. Yesterday, the gunman, who was 19 years old and white, was charged in this mass shooting, indicted by a grand jury on 27 counts, including 10 hate crime charges. Did that give you any comfort? You know what? What has happened has happened. Anything, and any kind of perceived righteousness that people may have, is not going to bring these people back. Is not. Yes, I would like to see him receive some of God’s justice that he deserves. But that’s not up to me. That will depend on God. You know, “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord. Whatever the legal system does to him, he deserves. But nothing like that is going to give us any comfort for these people who are gone. It just won’t happen. This community is forever changed because of it. Written by Sheena Goodyear with files from The Associated Press. Interview produced by Sarah Jackson. The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
