WASHINGTON 鈥� The tragedy that unfolded Wednesday in South Carolina has sent shock waves across the nation. In Prince George鈥檚 County on Thursday night, members of the religious community gathered at Jubilee United Church of Christ to discuss the shooting and bring about healing through prayer.
The purpose of the event was to allow people from the community to come and lament, according to the church鈥檚 pastor Reverend Marvin Silver.
Police believe on Wednesday night, after attending a Bible study, 21-year-old Dylann Roof opened fire at the聽 Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, killing nine people.聽 The event has religious leaders across the country worried.
鈥淢y concern moving forward of course is security as probably any pastor and church leader is thinking about right now,鈥� Silver said.
Thursday鈥檚 service was organized by the Prince George鈥檚 County NAACP.聽 President Bob Ross said he was shocked by the attack, but feels a nonviolent response is necessary.
鈥淲e have to put pressure on our lawmakers to work on gun reform here in the country,鈥� Ross said.
Ernest Gooding, of Bowie, Maryland, said he is praying for the family of the victims, and the family of the man accused of committing the crime.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got to work through this and see what we can do, to see that this doesn鈥檛 happen again,鈥� Gooding said.
Among those in attendance was Eugene Grant, the mayor of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, who said protections are needed for places of worship.
鈥淭he church, the synagogue, the mosque, the temple, must be a sacred place,鈥� Grant said.
鈥淩ace is an issue in the country,鈥� said Lisa Ransom, of Prince George鈥檚 County. Even though it may be a difficult topic, she said a discussion on race needs to take place.
Cassandra Freeman, with the Prince George鈥檚 County NAACP, said sadly these tragedies can happen anywhere.
鈥淒espite racial differences, we as a community have to come together,鈥� Freeman said.
