WATCH: President Obama comments on arrest of South Carolina shooting suspect
Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a state senator and the pastor of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, was one of nine people killed when Dylann Roof allegedly opened fire during a bible study in the church basement.
The names of the other eight victims were released slowly following the shooting as officials released some names and those close to the victims memorialized them on social media.
Sharonda A. Coleman-Singleton was one of the people killed in the shooting.
Her son wrote in a tribute post on Instagram that “there are two new angels in the sky. One of them happens to be my mommy.”
“You were a better mother than I could have ever asked for. This has truly broken my heart in every way possible, but I know I have to stay strong for my little brother and sister.”
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Cynthia Hurd, a long-time employee of the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) where she worked for 31 years was also killed.
The CCPL wrote on its website “her loss is incomprehensible.”
“St. Andrews Regional Library Manager Cynthia Hurd. Cynthia was a tireless servant of the community who spent her life helping residents, making sure they had every opportunity for an education and personal growth,” the library statement reads.
Her brother, a former state senator, told the Charlotte Observer that she was typically at the church for bible study.
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“She was the one who brought us closer,” Graham said, before adding that “she was just a beautiful person.”
Tywana Sanders was also killed during the shooting. Sanders was a recent graduate of Allen University in Columbia, and the president of the school issued a statement following the shooting describing him as a “quiet, well-known student who was committed to his education,” according to The State.
“He presented a warm and helpful spirit as he interacted with his colleagues,” school president Lady June Cole said in the statement. “We’re in mourning, and we are praying for the families of the victims.”
READ MORE: What we know about Charleston church shooting suspect Dylann Roof
Myra Thompson was identified by the Anglican Church in North America Twitter account as another victim.
Ethel Lee Lance, 70, had worked at the church for 30 years and her grandson, Jon Quil Lance, told The Post and Courier that she was the “heart of the family.”
“She’s a Christian, hardworking; I could call my granny for anything. I don’t have anyone else like that,” Jon Quil Lance told the newspaper.
Susie Jackson, 87, was Lance’s cousin and was also a long-time church member according to the newspaper.
Rev. Daniel Simmons, another pastor at the church was also killed in the shooting.
Depayne Middleton, 49, was a mother of four and sang in the church choir according to the Post and Courier.
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