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Today in History: Charleston church shooting leaves nine dead, sparks outrage

6/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On June 17, 2015, a white supremacist opened fire during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine African Americans, including senior pastor Clementa C. Pinckney. This tragic event marked the deadliest mass shooting at a place of worship in U.S. history at that time.

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Story summary

On June 17, 2015, a white supremacist opened fire during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine African Americans, including senior pastor Clementa C. Pinckney. This tragic event marked the deadliest mass shooting at a place of worship in U.S. history at that time.