Charleston Church To Reopen After Deadly Shooting

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The historic church in Charleston, South Carolina, where nine black people were killed when a white man opened fire during a Bible study, will reopen on Sunday. Arriving from around the US on Saturday to pay respects to those killed, mourners created makeshift memorials as a small step toward healing from the latest US mass shooting. Aljazeera has more:

Cleaning crews worked at the church on Saturday and church members announced they will hold a Sunday service. Harold Washington, 75, was with the small group that saw the lower-level room where the victims were shot.

“They did a good job cleaning it up, there were a few bullet holes around but what they did, they cut them out so you don’t see the actual holes,” he said. He said he expected an emotional service on Sunday, and a large turnout.

Outside the church, the oldest African-American congregation in the southern US, bouquets, bears and balloons covered the sidewalk while hundreds of people lined up to mourn, sing hymns and leave memorials.