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The world was shocked by the tragedy that struck aSouth Carolina church on Wednesday night and now President Barack Obama and othercelebrities are sending their condolences and asking for change.Calling the murders "senseless," the President revealed one of thevictims was his friend.
"Michelleand I know several members of Emanuel AME Church. We knew their pastor Reverend Clementa Pinckney, along with eight others gathered in prayer and fellowship, who was murderedlast night," Obama said in a press conference Thursday alongside Joe Bidenin his first official appearance since the death of his son. “Tosay our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and theircommunity doesn’t say enough to convey the heartache and the sadness and theanger that we feel."
President Obama expressed his 'heartache and sadness' Photo: Getty Images
Other celebrities like Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon took to social media to echo similar feelings to the President. "Plane landed, turned on my phone, and my heart dropped to thefloor," the pop star wrote on Twitter. "Charleston... This is anunbearable loss of lives and innocence." Meanwhile the Oscar winner wrote,"Praying for Charleston and for this country toheal these deep wounds."
Solange Knowles spoke out saying, "My heartis truly with you to the folks who lost loved ones Charleston. My heart istruly with you, world." And John Legend, who performed the hit song forthe movie Selma, wrote simply, "Charleston. My heart hurts."
Many others like Chris Pratt, Kerry Washington, KatDennings, Beyoncé, Rachel Dratch, Keri Hilson, Rob Lowe and Questlove posted theirthoughts on the mass shooting that left nine dead at the historic black church.Theshooting has been labeled a hate crime by law enforcement after Dylann Roof, 21, was arrested thanks to member ofthe public who recognized him and called 911 Thursday.
NBC News reported Friday morning that the suspect has confessed and "almost didn't go through with it because everyone was so nice to him," sources told NBC News.