Relatives of Church Shooting Victims Address Charleston Shooter in Court [Video and Transcript]
This is a powerful video as relatives of the church shooting victims at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston address Dylan Roof, the shooter, in court. (Transcript follows below.)
Nadine Collier, the daughter of 70-year-old Ethel Lance: “I forgive you. You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul. You hurt me. You hurt a lot of people. But God forgive you. And I forgive you.”
Anthony Thompson, representative for the family of 59-year-old Myra Thompson: “I forgive you and my family forgives you. But we would like you to take this opportunity to repent. Repent, confess, and give your life to the one who matters the most: Christ. Because he can change your ways no matter what happens to you. And then you’ll be okay.”
Felicia Sanders, mother of 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders: “We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms. You have killed some of the most beautiful people that I know. Every fiber in my body hurts, and I’ll never be the same. Tywanza Sanders was my son. But Tywanza Sanders was my hero. Tywanza was my hero. But as we said in the Bible study, we enjoyed you, but may God have mercy on you.”
Alana Simmons, grand-daughter of 74-year-old Daniel Simmons: “Although my grandfather and the other victims died at the hands of hate, this is proof, everyone’s plea for your soul is proof that they lived in love and their legacies will live in love. So hate won’t win.”
Sister of 54-year-old Cynthia Hurd: “On behalf of my family for not allowing hate to win, for me I’m a work in progress, and I acknowledge that I am very angry. But one thing … she taught me is that we are the family that love built. We have no root in hatred, so we have to forgive. I pray God on your soul, and I also thank God that I won’t be around when your judgment day comes. May God bless you.”
Related post: Sunday Worship at Emanuel AME Church after the Massacre