"Here We Go Again" Sadness, Shock Woven In Reaction To Mass Shooting In South Carolina

DETROIT (WWJ) - Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of nine people at a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Twenty-one-year-old Dylann Roof from Lexington, South Carolina was arrested Thursday as a massive manhunt was underway.

Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis spoke with several local pastors about the shooting with emotions ranging from shock, anger and confusion.

The Reverend Charles Williams II with the Historic King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit said he planned a prayer vigil is planned for Saturday.

"We'll be there as we pray with all faiths Muslims, Jews, Christians other denominations - we are asking everyone, blacks, whites - everyone to come out," said Williams.

He said thoughts of security have crossed his mind but that the congregation will continue to worship as they have done in the past.

"Here we go again," was the thought of Reverend Lonnie Peak after hearing of the mass shooting. "And that's the shock.

"I thought about Birmingham, Alabama - those four little girls - I thought about the King family, him being shot along with his wife. It's something that you wish would go away but it will probably never go away."

While the initial reports imply this was a racially motivated crime, Peak implores people not to paint groups with a broad brush.

Pastor Emery Moss Jr. of Strictly Bible Teaching Ministry in Detroit spoke to WWJ about the lack of education on race in the U.S.

"There has been no real, ongoing discussion and education -- not really and all aspects; black racism, white racism. When I was in the military I worked for 23 years as a race relations instructor. The military realized the need to do this back in '71 but the civilian community never has."

Moss said it's important for pastors to have sermons on race relations.