Prince George's County Executive Releases Statement Following Fatal Charleston Shootings

The fatal shootings at an African-American church in Charleston, S.C., have made national headlines in the last 24 hours, and the impact of those shootings has stretched all the way to Prince George’s County.

County executive Rushern L. Baker, III, a former Maryland State Delegate, admitted he was friends with South Carolina State Senator and Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church Hon. Pastor Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of the tragic shootings.

Baker released the following statement regarding the shootings and his fallen friend on Thursday:

“This morning we woke to the shocking news of the unthinkable – nine men and woman tragically lost their lives after being gunned down during a prayer meeting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, S.C. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims, members of Emanuel AME Church and the entire AME denomination, along with the residents of Charleston as they grapple with this awful tragedy. This appears to (be) an act of pure hatred that makes us angry and causes us to ask the question — why?

When I was a Maryland State Delegate, I had the opportunity to work with one of the victims, South Carolina State Senator Clementa C. Pinckney. Hearing that he was one of the victims was a jolt for me. I pray that his family and friends will rely on their faith to sustain them now and in the coming days and months as they bear the burden of this horrible situation.

It is reassuring to know that the suspect was quickly apprehended and is now in police custody. However, this arrest will not ease the pain for many during these tough times. It is why I am asking the people of Prince George’s County to include the residents of Charleston in your thoughts and prayers. They need our support as they find strength to weather this storm of hatred that took the lives of their neighbors, friends and family. Let us hope that they find peace.”

Image credit: WSOC-TV