COLUMBIA, S.C. — Saturday marked eight years since a deadly mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston.
[ Judge approves $88M settlement for families of 9 killed in Charleston church massacre ]
The suspect, Dylann Roof, opened fire during a Bible study, killing six women and three men, who were all Black.
Roof faces the death penalty.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a statement reflecting on the nine lives lost.
It read, “Eight years ago today, our state was shaken by the tragedy at Mother Emanuel. Let us join together in prayers for the nine beautiful souls we lost and remember the lessons of mercy and grace we witnessed in the days that followed -- showing us that love, faith, and compassion will always triumph over cruelty and hate.”
VIDEO: ‘Their death is not in vain’: Loved ones of Charleston shooting victims take step toward justice
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