CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Charleston, South Carolina, is pausing to remember the victims of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shootings on the anniversary of the massacre.
Friday marks one year since nine black people were shot and killed while studying their Bibles in a basement room at the historic church. A white man, Dylann Roof, faces death penalty trials in both state and federal courts.
An ecumenical service honoring the victims is planned Friday at the College of Charleston’s TD Arena. It’s the same venue where President Barack Obama last year led the congregation in “Amazing Grace” during a funeral for the church’s pastor, state Sen. Clementa Pinckney.
Smaller services later Friday at Emanuel AME are among about two dozen events marking the anniversary of the shootings during the coming days.
