Black Community Opinions

The Emanuel Nine— 10 Years Since Massacre

Mayor Kenny Alexander, Norfolk’s first Black mayor, confirms he will complete his current term but not seek reelection in 2028, as he transitions into a new statewide education role with the Virginia Community College System.

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CHARLESTON, S.C.

Ten years ago on June 17, 2015, Bible Study worshippers at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church were gunned down in cold blood in their historic church. Nine members of the church died and several others were wounded.

White supremacist, Dylan Roof, 21, came to the church and joined with the worshippers before suddenly brandishing his weapon, intent on starting a race war. Roof was found guilty and sentenced to death for the murders and his hate crime.

Today, the church bells toll nine times, twice a day, one for each of the Black worshippers killed. They are the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson. Five others survived – Polly Sheppard, Tywanza’s mother Felicia Sanders and her granddaughter, and the pastor’s wife, Jennifer Pinckney and one of their daughters.

Among those remembering the Emanuel Nine was South Carolina Congressman James E. Clyburn who released a video on X, paying tribute to the 10th anniversary of the shooting.

He said, “Over 6 years ago, the House first passed my Enhanced Background Checks Act to close the Charleston Loophole that allowed a white supremacist to obtain the gun he used to murder nine worshipers at Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015.

“I’ll never stop fighting to pass this law.”