Charleston Shooting: Victims’ Families Forgive Gunman Dylan Roof

Families of Charleston shooting victims, in a remarkable gesture, forgive gunman Dylan Roof.

Gunman Dylann Roof appears in court via video link. (Photo: aP)

Felecia Sanders survived the attack on her Bible study group by pretending to be dead, but lost her son Tywanza.

On Friday, she came face to face with the alleged shooter, as she had the night of the slaughter who appeared via video conference for a bond hearing.

We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms. You have killed some of the most beautifulest people that I know. Every fiber in my body hurts ... and I’ll never be the same. Tywanza was my hero.
– Felecia Sanders, Lost her son in the shooting

And then Sanders did something remarkable: She forgave the young man who has been charged with nine counts of murder for the bloody attack at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Many others also forgave him. They advised him to repent for his sins, and asked for God’s mercy on his soul. One even told Roof to repent and confess, and “you’ll be OK.”

Families of victims at a memorial service. (Photo: AP)

The families are determined not to respond in kind, said Alana Simmons, who lost her grandfather, the Rev. 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 they lived in love and their legacies will live in love, so hate won’t win.
– Alana Simmons, Lost her grandfather in the shooting

Roof bowed his head slightly. From the jail, he could hear them talking, but couldn’t see them. The camera showed only the judge.

We have all been touched by the moving words from the victims’ families offering God’s forgiveness and love in the face of such horrible suffering.
– Excerpt from a statement by Roof’s family.

(With inputs from AP)