Beirich stated it was unclear early within the investigation whether or not the suspect had any connection to hate teams. She famous that "for a number of years South Carolina has been the place with the highest density of hate teams." On September sixteen, Roof stated by way of his attorney that he was keen to plead responsible in trade for a sentence of life in prison without parole.

In an online forum, Charles Cotton, a lawyer in Houston and a nationwide board member of the National Rifle Association, positioned blame for the capturing on Pinckney for not permitting the churchgoers to hold concealed carry weapons inside the church. In 2011, Pinckney had voted in opposition to laws that might enable concealed handguns to be carried into public locations. Cotton additionally criticized the effectiveness of gun-free zones, stating, "If we look at mass shootings that happen, most occur in gun-free zones." Cotton’s comment has since been deleted from the web forum.

Following the funerals of a number of of the victims in the taking pictures, they issued a second assertion, expressing their condolences to the victims’ households and announcing the momentary postponement of feedback out of respect for them. During the bond listening to, a number of members of the family of the victims informed Roof that they forgave him. Questions had been raised about the safety of black churches and their lengthy-standing apply of welcoming anyone who is willing to hope .
from this source Roof, a stranger to churchgoers, was easily able to enter Emanuel AME Church with no questions requested. Some churches thought of hiring armed security guards and putting in metal detectors, however conversations in support of those steps have presently not gained traction.

Most Republican candidates ultimately acknowledged that race was a motivating factor for the shooting. Muslim and Jewish spiritual organizations have raised a number of hundred thousand dollars to help rebuild black church buildings that have been burned down within the weeks after the taking pictures. After Roof’s appearance at his bond listening to, his household issued a press release, expressing their shock and grief at his actions.

This renewed a debate in regards to the terminology which people ought to use whenever they describe the taking pictures and other attacks. The Rand Paul marketing campaign stated Holt’s $2,250 donation would be given to the Fund, and Rick Santorum mentioned his $1,500 donation from Holt can be donated to the identical charity. Twelve different Republican workplace-holders additionally announced they’d be returning or donating Holt’s contributions. Following the capturing, Rhodesians Worldwide, a web-based magazine catering to the Rhodesian expatriate community, issued a brief statement condemning Roof’s actions in response to his use of the Rhodesian flag. It mentioned eighty% of the Rhodesian Security Forces had been black and that the Rhodesian Bush War was a battle against communism rather than a racial conflict.

The night following the assault, Jon Stewart delivered a monologue on The Daily Show discussing the tragic nature of the news, condemning the assaults as well as the media’s response to it. Stewart argued that in response to Islamic terrorism, politicians declare they will do "no matter we will" to make America secure, even justifying torture, but respond to this mass shooting with "what are you gonna do, loopy is as loopy does". At least eighteen candidates and prospective candidates for the 2016 U.S. presidential election expressed reactions via numerous media and addresses. According to NPR, Democratic and Republican candidates discovered alternative ways to handle the incident, with Democrats seeing race and gun management as central issues, whereas Republicans pointing to mental sickness and referring to it as tragic but random act.