Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has made a contribution to the families of Wednesday night’s massacre in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine people were shot to death after 21-year-old Dylann Roof allegedly opened fire on members of a Bible study group at historical Emanuel African Methodist Church.
Roof reportedly sat in on bible study for an hour before the massacre began. Six women and three men were killed, including the church’s pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney.
A law enforcement official said witnesses told authorities the gunman stood up and said he was there “to shoot black people. Roof was captured a day later and reportedly confessed to the crime.
The tragedy has touched thousands across the country. On Friday, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, sent a $100,000 donation to the Mother Emanuel Hope fund. The fund was set up by Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, to provide financial support for the families
Richardson allocated $10,000 to each of the victims’ families and donated an additional $10,000 to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
“In honor of Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, The Reverend Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, The Reverend Daniel L. Simmons, Sr. and Myra Thompson, please accept the enclosed check from the Carolina Panthers in the amount of $100,000 to provide $10,000 per family to help defray funeral costs, and other financial needs of each, and $10,000 for the church as a memorial honoring the victims. Our hearts are one with those who grieve the loss of these individuals.
Respectfully,
Jerry Richardson”
