Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Charleston shooting: Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church - site of deadly shooting - to reopen for services on Sunday

Police have said they are no longer holding church as an active crime scene

Andrew Buncombe
Saturday 20 June 2015 20:33 BST
Comments
Local ministers comfort each other near the site of a mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina
Local ministers comfort each other near the site of a mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Congregation members say the historic black church where nine people were killed is going to re-open for Sunday morning service.

Cassie Watson said the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church will open at 8.30am for Sunday school and 9am for a service. The announcement came as Charleston police announced that the church was not longer a “crime scene” and was being handed back to the church community.

Ms Watson was one of more than a dozen people to enter the building after a cleaning crew had worked on it, the Associated Press said. Other congregation members also confirmed the church would open Sunday.

Authorities say 21-year-old Dylann Roof fatally shot nine people at the church on Wednesday night.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in