Prominent South Carolinians react to Texas church shooting 2 years after Charleston
A man opened fire inside of a church in Sutherland Springs, a small South Texas community on Sunday. The shooting killed 26 people and wounded about 20 others in the deadliest mass shooting in the Lone Star State’s history.
Although the incident occurred in Texas, many in South Carolina and the Midlands reacted to the awful loss of life. It was a horrific event, and one that hits close to home.
In 2015, self-avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine African-Americans during Bible study at Charleston’s historic Mother Emanuel AME church.
Chris Singleton lost his mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, in the Mother Emanuel shooting. The minor-league baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization had a strong reaction to Sunday’s church shooting in Texas, calling for an end to gun violence.
“Hard to breathe thinking that 20 more people were killed in a place of worship. Gun violence is REAL & needs to be STOPPED!!!” Singleton posted on Twitter.
Hard to breathe thinking that 20 more people were killed in a place of worship. Gun violence is REAL & needs to be STOPPED!!!
— Chris Singleton (@csingleton__2) November 5, 2017
The Lord blessed us with free will and at times like these I am destroyed by the things people do with it. #TexasShooting
— Chris Singleton (@csingleton__2) November 5, 2017
If this doesn't upset you about our laws on gun control then nothing will. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!! https://t.co/A6g3QmO37f
— Chris Singleton (@csingleton__2) November 5, 2017
Malcolm Graham, whose sister Cynthia Graham Hurd also died in the Mother Emanuel shooting, had strong reactions on Twitter.
“My heart is broken again, praying for Sutherland Springs, Texas,” Graham tweeted.
In another social media post, Graham wrote “Thoughts & prayers are great sound bites but it’s time for our lawmakers to do something regarding semi auto weapons & gun laws.”
My heart is broken again, praying for Sutherland Springs, Texas
— Malcolm Graham (@SenatorMGraham) November 5, 2017
— Malcolm Graham (@SenatorMGraham) November 5, 2017
Texas shooter arm with AR 15, not Muslim or Isis, domestic terrorism is real,
— Malcolm Graham (@SenatorMGraham) November 6, 2017
Thoughts & prayers are great sound bites but it’s time for our lawmakers to do something regarding semi auto weapons & gun laws
— Malcolm Graham (@SenatorMGraham) November 6, 2017
U.S. senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, as well as Bakari Sellers and several others from South Carolina who have shared their sympathies, reactions and thoughts on the tragedy.
Praying for the families of Sutherland Springs. A church is the most sacred of places. No words. pic.twitter.com/J4z8LCGHuV
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) November 5, 2017
Heartbreaking news out of Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with #SutherlandSprings.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 5, 2017
Grieving for Sutherland Springs. Our whole nation is here to support you. Houses of worship should be sanctuaries...heartbreaking.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) November 6, 2017
Our prayers from the @ColumbiaSC family to the families of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, TX. These evils acts must stop!
— Steve Benjamin (@SteveBenjaminSC) November 5, 2017
The worst kind of news to hear about. My heart aches for those who are suffering today as a result of this horrific event. https://t.co/ww9lO3gJsO
— Kassy Alia (@kassy_alia) November 5, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones https://t.co/DB7Clco12r
— RCSD (@RCSD) November 5, 2017
Whoa! https://t.co/10fMik9hBb
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) November 5, 2017
No they don’t. https://t.co/gbXG8BUR8K
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) November 5, 2017
Where only peace & love should be present, an act of evil shook Sutherland Springs today. My prayers are w/ Texas and all those impacted.
— Catherine Templeton (@TempletonCath) November 6, 2017
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
— Gary Simrill (@garysimrill) November 6, 2017
Prayers for victims in Texas https://t.co/gNIFAzzvB1
— Kevin Bryant (@kevinbryantsc) November 5, 2017
Such evil in this world. Praying for all the families. #TexasStrong https://t.co/hZJNWwMSDm
— Joshua Putnam (@JoshuaPutnamSC) November 5, 2017
Prayers and condolences going out to the victims of the church shooting today in Texas. We will never be able to... https://t.co/lavdCjioKH
— Murrell Smith (@murrellsmith) November 5, 2017
This story was originally published November 5, 2017 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Prominent South Carolinians react to Texas church shooting 2 years after Charleston."