Hundreds gather at Columbia church to mourn following Charleston shooting

As many across the country remembered the lives of the Charleston shooting victims, people in Columbia made their way to Bethel AME to pay their respect and remember those impacted by this tragedy.

Bethel AME pastor Dr. Ronnie Brailsford he feels like everyone is still in shock with how close to home by the incident. For him, the news was heartbreaking especially knowing it happened it happened in a church.

Still, Dr. Brailsford hoped the vigil would help people cope and folks say the event did just that.

“It gives us a chance to step beyond the boundaries that we always put on ourselves,” Tim Bupp said. “Whether it's Republic, Democrat. Whether it's Christian, whether it's black or white, we can step beyond those barriers and say we are one. We are the same people inside and out. And so, these prayer vigils give us a glimpse of what we can be as a people.”

Several politicians including Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin were on hand at the vigil.

Copyright 2015 WIS. All rights reserved.

Wanna know anything else about me check out my sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zacharyalan52086
Twitter: https://twitter.com/betts52086
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1986bettszachary
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bettszachary/