CHARLESTON, S.C. — Nine people were killed in a mass shooting at the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC at a bible study service Wednesday night. Dylann Roof, 21 was arrested in connection with the shooting after a traffic stop in Shelby, NC on Thursday morning.
Emanuel AME church. We're live in 40 minutes from the scene of last night's church massacre. pic.twitter.com/lhQqqT1ESu
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) June 18, 2015Photographer mistaken as shooter in moments after shooting | June 18, 5 p.m.
As police hunted for Roof, they detained other young men who fit his description. Paige Kelton spoke to a photographer who was mistaken as the shooter.
“They mistaken me for the shooter and I was detained. And the cops drew their weapons on me, and I laid down, they handcuffed me. I listened to them, I did exactly what they said and I did it slowly because I knew what was at stake,” said Austin Rich.
#Jax Pastors:"shocked and heartbroken" over mass shooting #EmanuelAME. I'm headed to Charleston, live at 5 on CBS47. @ActionNewsJax
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) June 18, 2015Bishop McKissick preaches hope, forgiveness in Charleston following tragedy | June 18, 10 p.m.
Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr. is well known in Jacksonville and by chance, the head of Bethel Baptist was in Charleston to speak at a convocation Thursday evening.
The amount of emotion in the room was striking -- not sadness, but hope and above all, forgiveness.
With smiles and arms raised, the people of Charleston embraced each other Thursday night. As the tragedy of Emanuel AME set in, the faithful came together for support and to grieve.
“When I heard about this, it was heartbreaking,” parishioner Sheila Washington said. ”You try to love everybody no matter how they look.”
- Related Link: Who were the victims of the Charleston church massacre?
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McKissick was already scheduled to speak at the Life Center Cathedral Thursday amid the mass shooting at the church that killed nine people, including Reverend Clementa Pinckney.
A long-time friend of Pinckney, McKissick told Action News the city had lost a powerful advocate for peace in this community.
"Do you fear something like this could happen in your church?” McKissick said. “I don't live in fear; it can happen anywhere. I don't have that fear, absolutely not."
After tears were shed, voices raised, not in anger but in joy. The room erupted with the kind of emotion that is fueled by faith.
The atmosphere is necessary to say to everyone that church is still a place of joy, a sanctuary and a place of worship.
Bishop Brian Moore said this was a change for his congregation, to use a tragedy to spark a conversation about racism and tolerance.
“I think this is a great opportunity to forge together black, white, whatever your race or religion may be,” Moore said. “An opportunity born of tragedy, but one these men and women hope will inspire change and above all, forgiveness.”
Charleston Hotel serving as victim assistance center. #charlestonshooting @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/4oazOHDuXk
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) June 18, 2015A powerfully emotional day in Charleston. Amazing people and a city refusing to be defined by one moment. #Inspiring @ActionNewsJax
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) June 19, 2015Memorial for church-goers killed in mass shooting nearly doubles in size | June 19, 12 p.m.
As Dylann Roof, the suspect in Wednesday's church massacre, prepares for his first court appearance, thousands continue to gather in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
Law enforcement officers in Charleston say Dylann Roof confessed to killing nine people and said he wanted to start a race war.
Action News found two strangers holding hands in prayer. The two people of different colors joined in a moment of calm that has come to define the community’s response to tragedy.
In a matter of hours, the memorial for the nine victims doubled in size, including candles, flowers, stuffed teddy bears and letters of support.
- Related Link: Jacksonville church security on the mind of local Bishop.
- Related Link: Local pastors come together in wake of shooting.
Nine ribbons are posted along a fence, one for each of the victims.
“Seeing it on TV is one thing, seeing it in person is a different thing,” mourner David Phillips said.
Philips and his wife Gwen took the day off work to pay their respects. They said they were inspired by the outpouring of love for their city.
“It’s a happy moment right now. It’s joyful to see people come,” Gwen Phillips said.
This image sums up the sentiment in Charleston. WATCH CBS 47 at Noon Inspiration amid tragedy. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/NgPaF6CoQW
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) June 19, 2015Atlanta family planning wedding in Charleston also pays respect to victims of shooting | June 19, 5 p.m.
A family from Atlanta came to Charleston Thursday to plan a wedding. When they heard of the massacre, they refused to cancel their trip. The Palmers wanted to be here for the people of Charleston, South Carolina.
As the summer sun beat down on the makeshift memorial outside Emmanuel AME, the tearful Georgia family held hands and looked on.
“It’s just heartbreaking the amount of hatred. Why in our society do we have this hatred? I don't understand it,” said Nancy Palmer.
Nancy Palmer and her family arrived in Charleston to make plans for a happy event – the wedding for her daughter Lauren Palmer and fiancé, Josh.
Instead this trip has become about more than union between two people. It was a way to ensure that one act of hate doesn't come to define a city.
“We wanted to come down here just to pay respects and to help lift Charleston up. It’s a beautiful city and we're suffering with them,” Nancy Palmer said.
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