The historic black church in Charleston, S.C., where a gunman killed nine people last week held its first postmassacre worship service Sunday, bringing a sense of unity to the shattered city as law-enforcement officials continued to probe the suspect’s motives.
A large crowd attended the service inside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where parishioners honored the victims through song and prayer. The Associated Press reports uniformed police officers were stationed throughout the church for the service, which Governor Nikki Haley and her family were expected to attend, along with many newcomers.
Among those killed in Wednesday night’s shooting at a Bible study group was the church’s pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney. On Sunday, the Rev. Norvel Goff, who was picked to lead the church until a successor is named, said the aftermath of the massacre has “been tough” but that the community will continue to “pursue justice.”
“We’re going to be vigilant,” he said, “and we are going to hold our elected officials accountable to do the right thing.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the motives of the suspected gunman, Dylann Roof. The 21-year-old was apprehended in North Carolina on Thursday and later transported back to South Carolina, where he was charged with nine counts of murder and one count of weapon possession.
Sunday’s service came one day after authorities announced they were investigating a hate site linked to Roof that held dozens of pictures and a racially charged manifesto.
See Charleston Come Together to Mourn Church Shooting Victims
People sing "We Shall Overcome" during a service at Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesThe Rev. Sidney Davis leads mourners during a community prayer service for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, at Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 18, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesMourners gather outside Morris Brown AME Church for a vigil one day after a mass shooting in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersMourners hold hands as they pause outside Morris Brown AME Church during a vigil one day after a mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersNine-year-old Liam Eller (R), helps officers move flowers left behind outside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the street was re-opened a day after a mass shooting left nine dead during a bible study at the church in Charleston, South Carolina, June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersKim Hamby, right, prays with her daughter Kayla, 4, as they lay flowers at a makeshift memorial down the street from where a church shooting killed nine people in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.David Goldman—APPeople sit on the steps of the Morris Brown AME Church while services are held one day after the church shooting in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople wait outside of Morris Brown AME Church while services are held in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople gather outside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the street was re-opened a day after a mass shooting left nine dead during a bible study at the church in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersReverend Al Sharpton visits the memorial site at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church where nine people were murdered in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.John Taggart—EPAMourners cast shadows on the walls and the makeshift memorial at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 18, 2015.Brian Snyder—ReutersMourners light candles for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C. Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
