The shooting in a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, has raised new concerns about racism and gun violence. On Wednesday night, 21-year-old Dylan Roof walked into the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and after sitting for some time with the congregants, shot and killed nine people. Federal officials are investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime. The family of Dylan Roof posted on Twitter that they extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to families of the victims, saying, ‘Words cannot express our shock, grief and disbelief as to what happened that night. We offer our prayers and sympathy to all of those impacted by these events. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed this week. Our hope and prayer is for peace and healing for the families of the victims, the Charleston community and those touched by these events throughout the state of South Carolina and our nation.’ See also