A local news report from the Buffalo News has linked a retired federal agent to the shooting because he apparently knew about it at least 30 minutes before it occurred.
The former agent, believed to be from Texas, is said to be under investigation for direct communications he had previously had with Payton Gendron, the alleged shooter. The former agent, along with at least six other individuals, engaged with Gendron in an online chat room “where racist hatred was discussed,” the Buffalo News reported.