The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, has announced a $1.75 million settlement with a gun accessory manufacturer linked to the 2022 mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket.
The settlement marks another legal milestone in efforts by New York to hold companies accountable for violence tied to their products.
According to authorities, the settlement resolves a lawsuit filed on behalf of victims and their families after a gunman opened fire at a Tops Friendly Markets store in Buffalo, killing 10 people in one of the deadliest racially motivated attacks in recent U.S. history. The shooter had used equipment allegedly modified with parts sold by the company involved in the case.
Investigators said the lawsuit argued the firm marketed and sold a gun accessory that allowed the weapon to be converted into an illegal high-capacity configuration, which prosecutors say contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
In announcing the settlement, James said the agreement sends a clear signal that companies can face consequences if their products are used in ways that violate the law or endanger public safety.
“This settlement demonstrates that we will continue to pursue accountability wherever possible,” the attorney general said in a statement, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting communities from gun violence.
The payment will be distributed to survivors and relatives of those killed, many of whom have spent years seeking justice and financial support after the devastating attack.
Legal experts note the case is significant because federal law typically shields gun manufacturers from liability, but plaintiffs have increasingly found pathways to sue companies tied to accessories, marketing practices, or product modifications.
The Buffalo shooting prompted sweeping policy changes in New York, including stricter rules on body armor and gun modifications, as state officials pledged to prevent similar tragedies.
Families of the victims have described the settlement as an important step toward accountability, though many say no amount of money can repair the emotional toll of losing loved ones in the attack.
