Buffalo shooting suspect's social media investigated by New York attorney general

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that her office will be launching an investigation into the social media channels used by the Buffalo shooting suspect to "plan, promote, and stream" his attack. Payton Gendron, 18, allegedly detailed his shooting plan and racist ideals on several social media platforms, including Discord, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The New York investigation will encompass Discord, "including but not limited to" Twitch, 4chan and 8chan, according to the attorney general. 

Gendron is accused of walking into a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York on Saturday and opening fire, killing 10 people. Federal officials have said they believe Gendron was motivated in his attack by a racist desire to kill as many Black people as possible, and are investigating the shooting as "a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism," according to Garland. Gendron has pleaded not guilty to murder in the first degree, the most severe murder charge under New York law.