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Crowds Gather Outside Emanuel Church During First Service Since Shooting

Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, held its first service on June 21 after nine people were shot and killed during a Bible study on June 17. More than 1,000 people attended the service, which honored the victims, though the sanctuary could only hold about 800 of them, according to local media. Large crowds gathered in front of the church with people joining in with the service taking place inside.

Nine people were killed when a gunman opened fire during a Bible study at the church. Among those killed were Clementa Pinckney, the church’s lead pastor and a state senator, and a black robe was draped over his usual seat at the alter. A black robe also was draped over Susie Jackson’s seat in the choir loft.

Dylann Roof is being held without bail on nine murder charges and on a $1 million bond for gun charges. He was arrested in North Carolina on June 18 after an overnight manhunt. Credit: Twitter/Julianna Fletcher