Religion
Family of Church Shooting Suspect Offers Condolences as Funerals Begin
The Rev. Al Sharpton, center right, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, center, stand over the casket of Ethel Lance during her funeral service, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in North Charleston, S.C. Lance was one of the nine people killed in the shooting at Emanuel AME Church last week in Charleston. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
(USA Today) — The family of Dylann Roof, the suspect in the Charleston church shootings, released a new statement Thursday offering condolences for the victims’ families even as the first funerals were being held for some of the dead.
The statement, issued by Roof family attorney Boyd Young, said they are aware of the many questions about “the story behind the tragic shooting” at the Emanuel AME Church, and they would do their best in the coming days to answer them.
“That being said, we would like to take this time to reflect on the victims and give their families time to grieve,” according to the statement. “We feel it would be inappropriate to say anything at this time other than that we are truly sorry for their loss.”
The statement said there would be an opportunity to address other questions “but we ask that right now, care and attention and support be given to the grieving family members of the victims.”
