ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - The Bethel AME Church Cave Spring in Roanoke held a prayer vigil Thursday night for the families of those who lost their lives at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
The community to join them at 6:00 p.m. at their church located at 5056 Pleasant Hill Drive in Roanoke.
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About 50 people who attended sang songs, and prayed and said Wedensday night's massacre is a people issue and not racial.
"We were shocked about the situation, really we were appalled we didn't think this would happen in this day and age." John Swann of Bethel AME church said.
"We pause to pray for our brothers and sisters of Mother Emmanual AME Church in Charleston, SC," said members with
Bethel AME Church Save Spring.
As we've reported, a gunman, has been found, 21-year-old Dylan Roof,Thursday after nine people were shot and killed in Charleston, South Carolina, during a Bible study session at one of the nation's oldest African-American churches.
"I do believe this was a hate crime," Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen said early Thursday near the scene at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The victims included the church's pastor, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, 41, a Democratic member of the state Senate, two sources told NBC News.
"This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. It is senseless," Mullen said. "It is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church, when people are having a prayer meeting, and take their lives."
Further details on this developing story here.