Prayers held across country for 9 people killed at Charleston church

oge okonkwo

June 19, 2015 2:51 PM

Several churches in Charleston were full to overflowing on Thursday evening as prayer services were held, some services were held outdoors

Services and protests were also held in New York City

Prayers have been held across the United States of America following the massacre of nine people at a historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina.

CNN reports that the suspect, 21-yr-old Dylann Roof was detained while driving in Shelby, North Carolina, about 200 miles away.

After a court appearance on Thursday, Mr Roof waived his right to extradition and was flown back to South Carolina.

Six women and three men, including the pastor, died in the attack. A hate crimes investigation has been launched.

It was gathered that several churches in Charleston were full to overflowing on Thursday evening as prayer services were held. Some services were held outdoors.

Outside the Emmanuel AME Church, where the attack took place, hundreds gathered in soaring heat to pay tribute.

"We really have to fight together to go on and to live a civilised life where race doesn't matter," said one woman, Martha Watson.

At a vigil for victim Sharonda Singleton, her teenage children told the BBC they had forgiven the killer and wanted to focus on moving on in a positive way.

Services were held in several other cities, including Miami, Detroit and Philadelphia.

In New York, services and protests took place, with placards including such messages as "Black Lives Matter" and "Stop killing black people".

oge okonkwo