The relative of a victim killed in the Buffalo mass shooting has lunged at the 19-year-old gunman before his sentencing

A gunman who killed 10 people in a racially-motivated shooting at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket last year has been sentenced to life in prison.

At a dramatic hearing, Payton Gendron pleaded guilty to 25 counts, including first-degree murder and terrorism motivated by hate.

Ahead of the sentencing, a family member rushed towards Gendron but was constrained by security.

Family members shared emotional impact statements.

All of the 10 people killed were black. Three others were wounded.

Investigators said the gunman researched the racial makeup of Buffalo, which is over 300 kilometres away from his house, before his attack.

Speaking to the courtroom, he said: “I shot and killed people because they were black. Looking back now, I can’t believe I actually did it.”

The gunman is not eligible for parole.