Local church leaders react to Charleston church shooting

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – Charleston South Carolina may be more than 400 miles away from Chattanooga but distance did little to stop people from showing support for the families that were effected by the shooting massacre inside a South Carolina church.

By noon on Thursday, several A.M.E. church leaders in Chattanooga along with their followers held a prayer vigil at Saint Pauls A.M.E. Church. They prayed for the nine people who were killed when suspected gunman, Dylann Roof opened fire inside the Emanuel A.M.E church in Charleston.

"It was complete devastation. Of course it was a shock initially. I think my initial response was unbelief," said Saint Paul A.M.E Pastor Kenneth Love.

Pastor Paul like so many other people used the word disbelief to describe the shooting because no one expects gunfire in church.

"I was just simply stunned at the fact that someone would actually commit a hate-violent crime like that, especially in a church," said Saint Paul A.M.E Church Member Ronald Hines.

According to Charleston Police, Pastor and state senator Clementa Pinckney was one of the nine people killed by Roof. For local Pastor Kenneth Love, the tragedy was personal.

"We do have a strong connection being the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He’s one of our colleague pastors in which we have a close connection with all of of our pastors," Love said.

The Charleston shooting has placed a spotlight on the importance of security, even in a place of worship. And that spot light got a little brighter after a gunman shot at a church in Memphis. 

"We want to make sure everybody is safe. Interestingly; that’s why we call it a sanctuary. It’s supposed to be a safe place. If you can’t find refuge in the house of god, where can you find refuge," said Warren Chapel A.M.E. Pastor Pedro Hines.

"We do have a security protocol in place. We’ve just gone through it not more than two months ago with the membership, letting them understand what to do in case of fire, smelling of gas or even a violent event," said Love.