In a church basement, they bowed their heads, closed their eyes. They were unaware that a racist killer hid in their midst.
He pulled out his gun and unleashed hell. Nine people who went to a Bible study that night never returned home.
It’s a hole that can never be filled in a community that’s still struggling to heal.
That, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Williams said Wednesday, is a key reason why the man who killed them should be sentenced to death.
He chose a church. He researched his targets. And he spent 40 days studying them.
“He preyed upon the vulnerability after he had the chance to observe it,” Williams said. “This case is worse because of the loss, because of the void created by these people.”
Jurors are now weighing punishment for the man behind the shooting at Charleston, South Carolina’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. As they consider Dylann Roof’s fate, prosecutors say these are the faces they shouldn’t forget.
THE REV. CLEMENTA PINCKNEY
“He was a prodigy of the ministry … He had a booming voice, inspired others and … used his gift to better other people.”
Pinckney, 41, was the pastor of Emanuel AME. He was also a South Carolina legislator.
DANIEL SIMMONS SR.
“Dan Simmons, for his service to the community, did not deserve to die in the doorway of his church with Roof stepping over him.”
Simmons was on the staff at Emanuel and regularly attended Wednesday night Bible study sessions. The 74-year-old initially survived the shooting at the church, but died during surgery.
SHARONDA SINGLETON
“A woman who people flocked to, who people were inspired by. Her greatest strength was in being a mother, a mother of three children who she lived for and she lived her life through.”
Singleton was a speech therapist and track coach at Goose Creek High School. The 45-year-old was also a reverend at the church.
DEPAYNE MIDDLETON-DOCTOR
“She was the mother to four children. … She made every sacrifice for those children.”
Doctor, 49, was a school administrator at her alma mater, Southern Wesleyan University.
CYNTHIA HURD
“When her sister was diagnosed with cancer, the first words she said were, ‘I got you.’ … Cynthia Hurd, after 31 years of hard work, was about to retire and spend time with her family. She deserved that retirement, not to be shot.”
Hurd, 54, was a longtime librarian in Charleston. She was baptized in the church and went there her whole life.
MYRA THOMPSON
“She was always making sure things got done. … She planned to carry on ministry and spend the years she had in her life with her husband and her family.”
Thompson was teaching the Bible study when she was killed. She was 59.
ETHEL LANCE
“She was the glue that held her family together. Sometimes a loss is too great and that loss has affected the entire family.”
Lance, 70, was a city worker for 34 years. Until 2002, her dominion was the Gaillard Auditorium, where she ran operations backstage.
SUSIE JACKSON
“She was always available. You will hear how she traveled to see them (her grandchildren), how important she was in their lives. You will hear how she did not deserve to die the way she did.”
Jackson, 87, was a choir member and on the usher board of the church, where she had been a member for many years.
TYWANZA SANDERS
“Everyone who knew him knew he would do great things. He had an incredible future to look forward to. He was talented, funny and loved by so many.”
Witnesses said Sanders, 26, died trying to save his aunt. The day of the shooting, he’d posted a quote on Facebook from baseball great Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”