The teenage children of one of the victims of the Charleston church shooting have forgiven the gunman. Chris and Camryn Singleton, whose mother Sharonda Coleman-Singleton died in the attack, say that feel “love” for the killer, 21-year-old Dylann Roof.
Coleman-Singleton, 45, was one of the pastors at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Camryn Singleton told the BBC, "I just feel a lot of love, I'm a little bitter, but I'm overwhelmed with love.”
Chris Singleton agreed. "We already forgive him for what he's done, there's nothing but love from our side of the family,” he said.
The Charleston community has rallied together in support of the church, holding prayer vigils for the families and friends of the nine victims. Christian Today reports some people prayed for Roof as well.
While the church plans to be more vigilant in terms of security, they also want to continue to welcome everyone.
William Dudley Gregorie, a trustee of Emanuel said, "We're not a church that hates. We're a church that's full of forgiveness. We feel that when you hate, you lose, and you let evil in."
Publication date: June 19, 2015
