Large crowds gathered in Charleston, South Carolina on Thursday to mourn the nine people slain in a shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church around 9 p.m. the night before by 21-year-old suspect, Dylann Roof.
Local citizens and clergy members joined hands in unity and prayer (the other religious communities around the country similarly rallied around the church). The photos below capture a wide range of emotions.
Hands together. #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/Nwr661sEG1
— Shawn Drury (@ShawnDrurySC) June 18, 2015
Noah Nicolaisen, of Charleston, S.C., kneels at a makeshift memorial, Thursday, June 18, 2015, down the street from where a man opened fire Wednesday night during a prayer meeting inside the Emanuel AME Church, killing several people in what authorities are calling a hate crime.
Kim Hamby, right, prays with her daughter Kayla 4, as they lay flowers at a makeshift memorial down the street from where a white man opened fire Wednesday night during a prayer meeting inside a historic black church killing several people in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, June 18, 2015.
Sandra Bridges lays a greeting card at a makeshift memorial down the street from where a white man opened fire Wednesday night during a prayer meeting inside a historic black church killing several people in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, June 18, 2015.
People visit a makeshift memorial near the Emanuel AME Church June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina, after a mass shooting at the Church on the evening of June 17, 2015.
A memorial near the Emanuel AME Church is viewed on June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina, after a mass shooting at the Church on the evening of June 17, 2015.
People sit on the steps of Morris Brown AME Church while services are held June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
People sing 'We Shall Overcome' during a service at Morris Brown AME Church June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
People say a prayer outside Morris Brown AME Church during a vigil June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Before You Go
