About 200 people attended a vigil in Milwaukee Thursday night for the nine people killed the day before in an African-American church in South Carolina.
Among those at the vigil at Milwaukee’s All People’s church was youth director Xavier Thomas. He said the killings of nine fellow African-Americans in Charleston leave him worried about how young people are dealing with the deaths. Thomas said the shootings also leave him in pain.
“This shouldn’t be going on anywhere,” he said. “We shouldn’t have to deal with this anywhere. What happened to going to school, going to college, getting a career and living life? Those are put to a halt because you’re running for your life now.”
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
Another vigil will be held Monday evening in Milwaukee at an African Methodist Episcopal Church, the same denomination of church as the one attacked in South Carolina.
Police in North Carolina have placed Dylann Roof, 21, in custody for the mass shooting.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.