Following the tragic hooting deaths of S.C. Sen. Clementa Pinckney and eight church parishioners, lawmakers and others have sent their condolences and expressions of outrage in press releases.
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson
Congressman Joe Wilson, (R-S.C.) issued the following statement after the mass shooting:
"My prayers are with the victims, families and congregation of the historic Emanuel AME Church after last night's tragedy in my birthplace, Charleston.
"Senator, Pastor Clementa Pinckney will always be appreciated by me as a former State Senate colleague and friend. He was known by all to be a man of God, a man of honor, and a man of strong beliefs. His voice will be missed. I was honored to host him and his fine family several years ago on a tour of the U.S. Capitol.
"I am confident in the leadership of Mayor Joe Riley that his proven love for the people of Charleston will prevail as Charlestonians unite in prayer. I am grateful for Chief Greg Mullen, the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division, and pray for the suspect to be apprehended swiftly."
U.S Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C.
Congressman Duncan released a statement concerning the tragedy that struck Charleston Wednesday night.
"There are no words strong enough to describe the devastating crime that took place in Charleston (Wednesday) night. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, particularly the family of Senator Pinckney, a former colleague of mine and the pastor for the church that was attacked. I will always remember Senator Pinckney as a soft-spoken gentleman who deeply cared for others.
"These brutal murders are the rare kind of horror that shakes at our very core. This devastating event will be on our minds for some time to come. I ask that you join me in praying for Charleston. Our brothers and sisters in Christ taken from us last night clearly believed in the power of prayer. They were praying and so should we. We are all children of God."
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., made the following statement on the horrific shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston:
"Our prayers are with the families of the victims and the people of Charleston. We are all heartbroken by this tragedy.
"To the families of the victims, please know that you are being prayed for and loved by so many in the community and across the nation. I pray that God will provide you healing in the coming days.
"There are bad people in this world who are motivated by hate. Every decent person has been victimized by the hateful, callous disregard for human life shown by the individual who perpetrated these horrible acts.
"Our sense of security and well-being has been robbed and shaken."
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.
Senator Tim Scott released this statement upon returning home to Charleston on Thursday morning:
"The horror that occurred at Mother Emanuel last night has truly devastated our community. Emanuel AME means so much to so many, and we stand by them today as they mourn the loss of their leader and brothers and sisters in Christ. Pastor Pinckney was a good man, an honest man and a wonderful representative for his congregation.
"As reports come to light that a suspect is held in custody, I hope for swift justice for Pastor Pinckney's congregation and the people of Charleston.
"Today's prayer circle at Morris Brown AME Church will help our community begin to come to terms with what has happened, and start the healing process. While we unfortunately know that hate enters some people's hearts, I also know this: We can and will work every single day to replace hate with love, pain with kindness, and hostility with good will."
Executive Director-elect of the South Carolina School Boards Association Scott Price
"The entire education community is deeply saddened over the extremely horrendous death of Senator Pinckney and all of the victims in the Emanuel AME Church shooting on Wednesday. Senator Pinckney was a true champion for public education who worked tirelessly to advocate not only for the students in the districts he served but for all of South Carolina's students. We pray for his family and everyone affected by this senseless crime."
S.C. House Speaker Jay Lucas
"As a loving father, husband and dedicated public servant, Clementa Pinckney was a man of honor and sought to make a difference in the lives of others. Having served with him for a short time in the South Carolina House and continuing our friendship after his move to the Senate, Clementa held firm to his convictions and his integrity was a direct reflection of the love he shared for Christ.
"Senator Pinckney's calming presence will be missed in Columbia and across South Carolina, but I am certain his legacy will live on. Tracy and I extend our thoughts and heartfelt prayers to Clementa's family, the victims and their families of this act of violence, the Emanuel AME congregation and the Charleston community as we begin to heal from this senseless tragedy."
U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C.
"I join with the people of Charleston and the Lowcountry of South Carolina in sending both thoughts and prayers to the families affected in the tragedy of Wednesday night. I don't understand and can't comprehend this sort of malice.
"Accordingly, I simply pray that God's faith, that I know to be so strong at the Emanuel Church, will be part of what gets both their congregation and our community through this horrendous action."
S.C. House Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken
Taylor addressed the tragedy in a newsletter released Thursday:
"South Carolina is mourning the wickedness that struck in Charleston (Wednesday) night. Some will call it a tragedy, but as columnist George Will wrote after 9/11, tragedy is a hurricane, tornado, flood or other natural disaster. Let us call the Charleston church shooting what it is - evil performed its dastardly deed; the very worst of human nature was on display.
"(On Thursday), the South Carolina Senate mourned the death of Sen. Clementa Pinckney, the Pastor of Charleston's Emanuel AME Church, and the lives of the other eight victims. The eulogies from his colleagues (Thursday) morning were a powerful testimony to Sen. Pinkney's strong character and faith.
"While we grope for answers to these senseless killings, we must look to God for comfort and blessings. May the families and friends of the victims know that South Carolinians mourn with them and lift them up in prayer."