A police affidavit released Friday accused 21-year-old Dylann Roof of shooting nine visitors of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Charleston, Carolina, USA), and making a “racially inflammatory statement.”

“I forgive you, my family forgives you,” said Anthony Thompson, whose relative Myra Thompson was killed. “We would like you to take this opportunity to repent.”

The victims included the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a state senator who doubled as the church's lead pastor, ministers and coaches, teachers and a librarian, counselors and choir singers.

“I just want to thank the court for making sure that hate doesn't win,” said Alana Simmons, who lost her grandfather, the Rev. Daniel Simmons, at the courtroom, where Roof's image appeared on a television screen.

bbabo.Net