it happened at emmanuel methodist episcopal church in south carolina. >> the shooter is described as a white man with a gray shirt anjeans and went inside and opened fire. nine people are dead. an active search for the gunman is on going. a news conference with the yor, a church elder and the police chief wrapped up this is a tragedy that nobody shouldhave to experience. it is senseless and unfathomable that somebody would walk into a church where people have a prayer meeting and take their lives. >> we want the community to pray for safety for our people. we hope that this person who has committed this heinous crime that is a hate crime be brought toustice. >> the church is the olst black congress graw dwaition in the south -- congregation in the south. they say the reverend who is a state senator is ang the nine killed. >> due to the tragic event in charleston, the republican presidential candidate jeb bush canceled his campaign event there tomorrow. depend on abc news to bring you more information on the mass shooting and during this newscast. reporting continues on twitter on abc

it happened at emmanuel methodist episcopal church in south carolina. >> the shooter is described ash a gray shirt and jeans and went inside and opened fire. nine people are dead. an active search for the gunman is on going. a news conference with the mayor, a church elder and the police chief wrapped up. >> this is a tragedy that nobody should have to experience. it is senseless and unfathomable that somebody would walk into a church where people have a prayer meeting and take their lives. >> we want the community to pray for safety for our people. we hope that this person who has committed this heinous crime that is a hate crime be brought to justice. >> the church is the oldest black congress graw dwaition in the south -- congregation in the south. they say the reverend who is a state senator is among the nine killed. >> due to the tragic events in charleston, the republican presidential candidate jeb bush canceled his campaign event there tomorrow. depend on abc news to bring you more information on the mass shooting and during this newscast. reporting continues on twitter on abc

it happened at emmanuel methodist episcopal church in south carolina. >> the shooter is described ashite man with a gray shirt and jeans and went inside and opened fire. nine people are dead. an active search for the gunman is on going. a news conference with the mayor, a church elder and the police chief wrapped up. >> this is a tragedy that nobody should have to experience. it is senseless and unfathomable that somebody would walk into a church where people have a prayer meeting and take their lives. >> we want the community to pray for safety for our people. we hope that this person who has committed this heinous crime that is a hate crime be brought to justice. >> the church is the oldest black congress graw dwaition in the south -- congregation in the south. they say the reverend who is a state senator is among the nine killed. >> due to the tragic events in charleston, the republican presidential candidate jeb bush canceled his campaign event there tomorrow. depend on abc news to bring you more information on the mass shooting and during this newscast. reporting continues on tw

the victims of the massacre were the pastor of the emmanuel african methodist episcopal church and eight of his congregants ranging in age from 26 to 87. tywanza sanders. reverend sharonda coleman- singleton. reverend depayne middleton doctor. cynthia hurd. myra thompson. ethel lance. the reverend daniel simmons, sr. and susie jackson. reverend clementa pinckney was the pastor, and elaine quijano has his story. >> reporter: reverend clementa pinckney was named pastor of the historic emmanuel african methodist episcopal church in 2010. the 41-year-old was married and had two young daughters. marvin stewart was a lifelong member of pinckney's congregation. >> his sermons generally would always tie into respecting each other, getting along. >> reporter: pinckney was also a state senator who became the youngest member of the south carolina statehouse when he was elected at age 23. his friends said he often drove home from the state capital in columbia to attend wednesday bible studies. it was in the capital where he spoke passionately about the death of walter scott, an unarmed black man sho

enforcement officials tell cnn dylann roof admits he opened fire on worshippers at the emmanuel african methodist episcopal church. a bond hearing for roof is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. eastern, that's an hour from now. police say he has been charged with nine counts of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a firearm during a violence crime. cnn's evan perez has learned details about the gun used in the shooting. law enforcement officials tell him roof purchased the weapon at a charleston gun store in april. moments ago, the president of the naacp joined others in calling if attack on the church a hate crime. >> this crime is not merely a crime perpetuated against a church, not merely a crime perpetuated against a pastor not merely a crime perpetuated against non-congregants. it is a hate crime. and as such it is a crime perpetuated against the conscience of the country, the soul of the country and our values collectively as a country. >> the naacp president cornell brooks will join me live later this hour. let's get details now on the upcoming bond hearing an hour from now and the gunma

perhaps a bible so that he might study with these parishioners at the historic emmanuel african methodist episcopal and that a stranger welcomed into the house of god by the children of god could spend an hour in fellow sh fellowship and then lay down a bible and take up a gun and lay nine people into untimely grave s tragic deaths is unconscionable, it's morally incomprehensible, it's flesh-and-blood obscenity in our midst. we as a nation as americans, as african-americans, as latinos, as asians, as jews and gentiles, catholics and protestants, people of all faiths and tradition, every hue, every heritage are quite simply shocked by this crime. and that it took place in god's house in the holy city of charleston, south carolina, runs roughshod over our moral sensibilities. it runs rough shot over our constitutional and moral values. it is a living, breathing, contradiction of everything we stand for as americans, everything we stand for as south carolinian, everything we stand for as african methodists and most certainly everything we stand for as members and supporters of the national association

. >> the shooting at emmanuel methodist episcopal church one of the oldest churches in the south and once part of the underground railroad. eight are pronounced dead six females, two males, another man dies later in the hospital. >> active shooter, we need at least four medic units plus two supervisors on the call. >> he manages to evade searchers, charleston police department releases this photo of a young man entering a church on wednesday evening. >> we have investigators that are out tracking leads that are coming in. and we will continue to do that until we find this individual who has carried out this crime tonight and bring him to justice. >> as daylight breaks on thursday the manhunt continues and the suspected shooter is identified. a community tries to comprehend what is incomprehensible. >> we woke up today and the heart and soul of south carolina broken. and so we have some grieving to do and we have some pain we have to go through. >> the president noticeably shaken. >> any death of this sort is a tragedy. any shooting involving multiple victims is a tragedy. there's som

the emmanuel african methodist episcopal church. shots were fired just after nine oclock in the evening. and, when police arrived -- they found several shooting victims. nine people have died from their injuries -- others are being looked at at area hospitals. investigators believe there is only one shooter. a 21-year-old white man, who tonight is still on the run. he walked in, opened fire and took off. he is considered armed dangerous and solely respobsible for the bloodshed. >>:this is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. it is senseless and it is unfashionable that somebody would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives. i can assure you that we're going to do everything in our power to find this individual and lock him up and to make sure that he does not hurt anybody else >> phillip :at one point, police received a tip that an explosive device may have also been hidden at the scene. but law enforcement has checked the area, and did not find a bomb. pam -- back to you. >>

. >> the deadly shooting occurred at the emmanuelle african methodist episcopal church. this is images of people praying outside of the church after the shooting. a vigil is planned at another charleston church a number of hours from now. we have been connecting with cnn producer ashley who is on the scene and connects with us over the phone with some of the latest information. we did hear some aspects confirmed by the police a short time ago. what new information have you been able to gather? >> we are waiting to hear official update from some of the local police officers of the chief of police here. but the naacp, they just tweeted that they are talking to some of the local leaders on the ground. this is something they are getting involved in especially now that it has been labelled a hate crime. >> and you have the fbi, the atf helping local officials as well with their investigations. at last check we were meant to get an update from the police in the next half hour. how much activity are you seeing there considering the suspect is still on the loose? >> they still h

after a gunman opened fire in emmanuel african methodist episcopal church. tonight, tragedy in south carolina. a massacre at one of the most historic black churches in the country. >> total count at this time is eight deceased one transported, one no injuries. >> reporter: eight people fatally shot inside the church. a ninth victim died at the hospital. making this the deadliist mass shooting since 2013. police are on the hunt to find the killer still on the loose. >> we will put all resources and we will put all of our energy into finding this individual that committed this crime tonight. >> reporter: authorities describing the shooter as a white male in his 20s with sandy hair. according to the police chief this mass murderer at emmanuel ame church was racially motivated. >> i do believe this was a hate crime. >> it is the most das dardly act one can possibly imagine. >> reporter: the pass soar at the church state senator clemente pinkney believed to be holding a service at the time. family and church members tell abc news the shooter attended the church s

he joined the south carolina legislature in 997 and was for of emmanuel african methodist episcopal church charleston where that deadly shooting took place. >>> get ready to add another name to the crowded field of the republican presidential candidates. louisiana governor bobby jindal is expect to join the race for the white house this afternoon. the 44 year-old jindal is in his second term as governor. he was once considered a rising star in the republican party but pole numbers show he has a up combat will. jindal will be the 13th republican date running for president and we are still waiting to hear if governor chris christie will jump in as well. only ten candidates will be invited to the first debate in august definitely a crowded field. >>> before you walk out the door we are updating today's top stories including very latest on the aftermath of last night's storm. >>> our nicole brewer is having a fun day down the shore this morning nicole. >> reporter: erika, it is shaping up to be a marvelous dau here in the wildwoods coming up, we are live from the national marbles championship

historic black church is right in a busy area of downtown the church where talking about emmanuel african methodist episcopal very old church and police say right now they're looking for the shooter a clean shaven white man in his 20s there's no information beyond access uc police right here investigating there was a bible study at the church this evening but again a very tenuous attrition no word of potential victims are casualties but we will continue to fall this breaking story to bring you updates throughout the night. >>here is stanley roberts who found some people behaving badly: >>: championship is back in the bay for the first time in 40 years >>stanley roberts: what's the best way to celebrate the 40 you're in big championship drought i know let's fight. maybe they were fighting over who should have been mvp that does not work these guys are riding a bus and never pay their fair one of the bay area team wins the title their architects of the streets and usually there are two types of celebration the holding of hauling guest to working on top of a moving vehicle might be an acceptable way of celebrat

according to the website emmanuel african episcopal methodist church has one of the largest and oldest brack congregations in the the south. there are unconfirmed reports the pastor may have been at the church at the time of the shooting. we'll stay on the story throughout the night at abcnews.com and much more to come on "gma" in the morning. >>> we turn to another tragic story. about a young man who learned the hard way about the troubles plaguing america's criminal justice system. kalief browder was arrested at 16, never convicted of a crime, never had a trial, but spent more than three years in one of the most violent jails in the country. tonight, here is kalief in his own words. >> you're supposed to be innocent till proven guilty. but the way the system is you're guilty till proven innocent. >> reporter: little did we know kalief browder was already dying inside the day we met him. at the easy age of 22 he'd already learned more about america's criminal justice system and endured more than any soul should everybody have to. that's him on the floor inside rikers island new york c

he's accused of killing nine people at the emmanuel african methodist episcopal church. south carolina's governor is calling for the death penalty. the two convicted murderers who escaped from a new york facility are among america's most wanted. the u.s. marshals service added the escapees to their most wanted list. the fugitives have been missing since june 6. a prison employee is accused of helping them. the european union is warning google to prepare to pay a big fine and that antitrust investigation. the competition regulator is accusing the search giant of squeezing out rivals in the comparison-shopping market. the fine will be set at a level to ensure deterrence. a pioneer in the cable television world has died. ralph roberts founded the company that became comcast in 1963 by writing a small cable-tv system in tupelo, mississippi. comcast has grown to become the nation's largest cable provider. his son is now the chairman and ceo. ralph roberts was 95 years old. those are your top stories at noon. coming up, much more ahead -- tiger woods loses his grip -- literall

word from you about the president's reaction to the shooting in south carolina at the emmanuel african methodist episcopalrch and the death of the pastor. shaken president, and he used the words of martin luther king to define perhaps some change as he said, inner attitudes towards gun reform. the personaln see anguish that the president is going through and he said that we have gone through this too many times. this is the first time where the president has no someone personally who was a victim of this crime. the pastor at this church and a state senator in south carolina, these are people that the president had direct contact with, as well as to show obama, so it may be a little bit more personal this time around for president obama. the reassessment of gun safety and gun reform, this is the same thing that we've gone through after the new town shooting, and the senate blocked anything close to what the president wanted. we will see if this shooting changes any talks, but the outlook for that kind of nowslation is up, and republicans now control both chambers of congress and it seems even less likely t

week culminated with the string eulogy for the slain pastor and parishioners of the emmanuel african methodist episcopalh in charleston south carolina. president obama: we are here to remember a man of god who lived by faith. a man who believed in things not seen. a man who believed there were better days ahead. a man of service who persevered knowing full well he would not receive all those things he was promised because he believed his efforts would deliver a better life to those who followed. remember the flag -- removing the flight from the state capitol would not be an act of political correctness. it would not be an insult to the valor of confederate soldiers. it would simply be an eight knowledge meant that the cause for which they fought the cause of slavery was wrong. [applause] charlie: joining me from washington is ed luce of the financial times. he wrote -- also, al hunt of bloomberg view. let me begin with ed. tell me what went into thinking about this column? ed: i had the phrase from the former british prime minister harold wilson, a week is a long time in politics. constantly on my mind.

the rampage took place during a prayer service inside the emmanuel african methodist episcopal churchearlier, governor nicky haley nearly broke down while talking about the tragedy. >> my heart and soul of south carl was broken. >> reporter: among the victims six females and three males including 41-year-old pastor and state senator clementa pinckney known as clem. >> i truly believe that god's purpose will be revealed even in the midst of this tragedy. >> reporter: the alleged shooter 21-year-old dylann roof is now in police custody captured more than 200 miles away in shelby, north carolina. some say the crime was racially motivateed. the shooting again bringing up the issue of race relations in the united states. >> the fact that this took place in a black church obviously also raises questions about a dark part of our history. this is not the first time that black churches have been attack. >> reporter: federal officials joined local authorities in the investigation. attorney general loretta lynch says the department of justice will now handle this case as a hate crime. in charles

that's about 245 miles north of emmanuel african methodist episcopal church where police say he opened fire. six men, three women were killed. we just learned they range in age from 26 to 87 years old. chilling new details are emerging about what happened inside that church. one survivor says her son was trying to talk roof out of killing people, but roof wouldn't listen telling the black people inside, "you rape our women. you're taking over our country. and you have to go." roof evaded capture for more than 12 hours overnight, until a suspicious car was reported in north carolina. the massacre has rattled americans up and down the east coast. >> we woke up today and the heart and soul of south carolina was broken. >> governor nikki haley there from south carolina. witnesses say roof sat inside that church for at least an hour before opening fire. the church founded back in 1816 is one of the nation'sathe nation's oldest african-american churches. >>> the pastor who was killed is remembered as a kind and peace. man devoted to his family. clementa pinkney was a state senator who became

charlston police are now at the emmanuel african methodist episcopal church.happened about an hour ago. the fbi is already on the scene right there investigating. right now police are looking for a 21-year-old man. we don't have many more details than that. we had keep updated as the news warrants. >> big problems for a mother and father after a night out on the town in austin, texas. police say a man with history of dwi a arrests realized he was too drunk to drive. >> so he handed the keys over to his daughter, problem was she's only 13 years old. cops spotted a pick up going about 25 miles an hour on the highway. that is way below the 70 miles an hour speed limb. benito told officers he and his wife had a few too many. he thought it would be safer if his oldest daughter was behind the wheel. good thing he didn't pick his youngest one. she's seven years old and also in that truck. police say they found an open beer can in his truck. >> it's really unfortunate. actually very scary for those situations such a young child not lot they can do or say at that age.

this morning hundreds poured into the mother emmanuel african methodist episcopal church. it's the first time since the gung wednesday night. the church is the oldest ame church in the south and central to the community where it has come to be known as mother emmanuel. the front page of carlson's local paper "the post and courier" paid tribute. people from across the state and country have visited memorials outside the church to pay their respects since wednesday's shooting. and just a short time ago bells rang in places of worship across the nation in honor of the nine victims. none so powerfully as those in the city of charleston itself. we begin our coverage with cbs news justice correspondent jeff pegues outside the church, what is the latest on the investigation? >> john, the fbi is taking steps to verify the authenticity of dylann roof's purported manifesto was found on website that contained photographs of the 'cuesed killer. dylann roof burning an american flag pointing gun at camera. the website also contains 2400 word manifesto which says he was not raised in a r

mother emmanuel choir entitled "going up yonder." >> hear ye the resolution from mother emmanuel african methodist episcopal church. 110 calhoun street, charleston south carolina, 29401. june 26, 2015. according to his tender mercy, god, who is infinite in his wisdom has seen fit to move from our midst. our beloved pastor reverend clementa pinckney in christ by means of death on the 17th day of june, 2015, whereas we, the ministerial staff, the senior board of trustees, and the members of mother emmanuel ame church expressed our condolences and love to the family during this joyous celebration of a life well lived. whereas, reverend clementa pinckney was the beloved pastor of mother emmanuel since 2010. whereas, reverend clementa pinckney was a kind and gentle soul that led his church with a quiet strength. whereas with his commanding voice, he provided weekly sermons that left you inspired, hopeful, and feeling closer to god. whereas under his leadership reverend pinckney remained focused on the members by merging our two services creating what he described as one service, one family, one church. he also i

. >> emmanuel african methodist episcopal church might has well had a bull's eye on it.tor's words in 2013 sound prophetic now. >> sometimes you may have to die like denmark video see to do that. >> in 1822, one of the founders of mother emmanuel organized a failed slavery volt he and 34 coconspear turnovers were languaged. angry whites burned the church down. symbols of black power black have been targets more than 300 were bombed in the 1906s. but weren't we supposed to be past all that? in chicago on the night barack owe bama was elected there was a sea of june lent people, black and white. east i think a lot of people thought that it was a turning point that we had reached a post racial america. >> i think those people were fooling themselves. >> jimil smith is a editor at the "new republic ." they understand r understood what a pivotal moment this was. that offered a lot of hope. that said didn't make racism go away. >> according to cbs news "new york times" poll conducted in may during the unrest in baltimore falling the death and police custody of fred degrey, 16%

do have surveillance pictures of his vehicle and this all happened at the historic emmanuel african methodist episcopaligating this as a hate crime police are not talking about an official of specific model of the government have had less tech a picture that police have the least of the gunman and there he is a white man in his early 20s about 5 ft. 9 he has a slender build and sandy blond hair and and the gunman was inside of the church for an hour the pacific is of the car and. >>michelle apon: we're learning more about the historic enemy church referred to as much as emmanuel and one of the largest car yet to south of baltimore md. the church was burned down a 22 for the involvement of appliance label and is later rebuilt in 1834 were to continues on the ground because they're out loud at that time 1965 was formally recognized and if it isn't it was destroyed by an earthquake the record more restored and the 1950's >>darya: www.kron4.com we are going to have a lot more ahead this morning with a live report from charleston and just 15 minutes. >>james: watching the forecast is likely to be a one what

it happened around 9:00. >> the emmanuel ame church traces it's roots to 1816 when several churches split from charleston's methodist episcopalrch. recapping there has been a shooting in the emmanuel ame church in downtown charleston. right now, i want to break down the description of the man they're looking for. they say he's a white man, clean shaven slender small build blue jeans timberland boots and a gray sweat shirt. we're waiting for a news conference and if it happens we'll break in live with that. now back to "the kelly file" already in progress screaming for help. and didn't think anybody was going to come around. >> but the cfo who is both a reserve sheriff's deputy and a member of their elite force grabbed a rifle and opened fire wounding nole nd and stopping the attack. his actions gained him national attention and awards for heroism. here he is. >> i'm very grateful that i was there. i don't know how i would be mentally if i wasn't. i don't view myself as a hero. i view myself as put in a position i was prepared. >> prepared in the nick of time to save the life of tracy johnson. listen again. >> do you think he

police say he shot and killed nine people inside the emmanuel african methodist episcopal church near actually praying for the victims the in charleston and praying for the people of charleston at the moment you saw the suspect in the car. what do you make of that? >> i was praying for them. i had been praying for them since the night before when i heard it. it was horrific. i had went to church myself that same night and came home and heard that on the news. i can't imagine the fear that had to be in their hearts. they were there just studying the word trying to get closer to the lord and learn more about what he wants for their lives. they were shot. they were massacred. they didn't deserve that. they did not deserve that. right now it should be all about them and their families and the hurt. we need to as a nation as a community, we immediate to lift-- need to lift them up surround them with love and care. that's what god would want. that's what we need to do. >> debbie did something remarkable. after she spotted the suspect she called police followed him. >> did a u-turn. >> we as

emmanuel aem church. it describes itself as the oldest african methodist episcopal church in the south. >>> oakland gets readyhost a party. the champs arrived at the oakland airport at about 3:00 this afternoon. >> the team was greeted by members of the war areas front office, and dozens of loyal fans. john sasaki was there as well, soaking it all in. >> reporter: this blue and yellow crowd at oakland airport welcomed home a group of champions. the first person to come off the warriors charter plane was the 2015 league's most valuable player, stephen curry, carrying the nba championship trophy. >> this is amazing. it's nice to be back home with the trophy. we have to celebrate with our fans. >> reporter: curry shared the love with members of the warriors front office staff who formed the welcoming committee. he said he always knew the team would win the championship. >> who we are. at the end of the day, when you're holding the trophy, all the up and downs of work, we'll remember this for the rest of our lives. >> reporter: fans lined up outside the executive airport hoping for a glimpse of their favorite pla

emmanuel in south carolina who was among those killed wednesday night. two even worked in the documentary together about the africa methodist episcopal church down do you think tyler said all day from all across philadelphia. he had people calling. >> you heard, we heard, this is philadelphia, if any one part of our city hurts, we all hurt. what can we do? . >> during the inner face service where the ame church began the names of those killed were read out loud. >> myra thomas. >> he's going to be missed. he really is patricia hamm was cousin, she saw him about a year and a half ago and the two kept touch on facebook. we asked if she was angry with the alleged shooter, 21-year-old dylann roof. >> i'm not angry. i'm concerned about him. i'm concerned that he gets the right help. that he ask for forgiveness for what he's done. >> reporter: when pastor mark tyler was addressing the audience, he said i know most of you are not from ame. at that point, he was interrupt abide i someone in the pews who shouted, we are all ame. >> reporter: reporting from society hill. todd quinones cbs news "eyewitness news". >> pb sure to stay with "eyewitness news" for continuing

he was also pastor of emmanuel africane piss pal church in charleston where that deadly shooting took place. >>> in this region local members of the bethel african methodist episcopal church in kenneth square they will gather tonight at prayer vigil for nine south carolina shooting victims. that vigil is expect to begin at 6:00 and will be led by reverend michelle pinckney mack bet. >>> south carolina lawmakers voted to consider removing confederate flag from the state house grounds. one proposal would move that flag to a museum instead. this sudden push has made converts out of politicians who long supported or stood silent about such symbols. they call the outcry an over reaction. >>> we now know what caused freddie gray's death baltimore man whose death sparked nationwide protest against police brutality. accord together autopsy report obtained by the baltimore sun gray suffer a high energy injury, while riding in a police van. sun reported that the injury similar to those suffered in shallow water diving was most likely caused when the van decelerated. report says death could not be ruled a accident and is instead a homicide because the officers did not follow

located less than a mile from charleston's slave market emmanuel has always been more than a place of worship, as the oldest african methodist episcopaliumph. church organizers tried to organize a slave rebellion 200 years ago. only to see the church burn to the ground when it was discovered 300 alleged plotters were arrested, 35 executed. here runaway slaves were secretly helped on their perilous journey north. martin luther king jr. marched for equality. emmanuel has been a leading force for ame churches and outspoken leaders. >> people like frederick douglass and harriet tub man. it was always about human rights and civil rights. >> it's always been our freedom house. >> pollard is dean at the university school of davinitity. emmanuel led the way for so many black churches by being i place where african-american politicians, leaders, organizers teachers and more could find acceptance when they were barred from so much of america. >> you know that you will come there unfiltered you will come there with recrimination made against you. so matter the disparages of the larger social order, you come here and can you learn how to be as fu

>>phillipe never did members of the first african methodist episcopal church in oakland believe that their brothers and sisters at emmanuel 80 and joses south carolina would ever be done such a tragic and. >>phillipe djegal: although it appears it filled the tudor decision opens vigil with out fear and attended by all walks of life we want to know that this is not a race issue and we're not upset were appointed for a friend sterling in the bay local community church leaders discussed the security concerns and the possible addition of metal detectors down the road. >>james: a shootout at and east of a grocery store parking lot will hear witnesses and describe how window. >>james: the victory parade this is video from yesterday's the final preparation will be made for the flotilla will be featured in today's parade the american athletes the open side as we speak that will be fun to watch her and it will assemble at the parade start with the 11th and broadway this morning- for the zero letters for operations. >>will tran: they are already busy the balloon and that just came across broadway about a minute ago a couple of hour

witness and ministry of the african methodist episcopal church has received many condolences and comforting thoughts. on behalf of this family and the mother emmanuelmmunity. from my partners in mission as well as from the communions of faith and colleagues around the world. they ask that we convey our prayerful support and their deepest condolences. in his brief but impacting life, my university brother the honorable reverend clementa pinckney upheld and lived out the guiding principles of our great school as he taught through his precepts and examples the mind of people to think, the hands of people to work, and the hearts of people to love. i met this young, brilliant, tall all star as he metriculated at allen university. he came from good stock. his mother and i were classmates at allen, and his uncle the reverend laverne stevenson who later became presiding elder was my grandmother's pastor in columbia. reverend pinckney's great love for humanity and his passion for the kingdom of god moved him to use his natural talents and his spiritual giftedness to raise the moral consciousness of his congressional colleagues as well as faith communities.