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Hanahan Remembers The Victims Of Orlando Massacre & Mother Emanuel Shooting

Memorial display at the Embassy of the United States, Warsaw, on June 13th (Via Wikimedia Commons/MiłośćNieWyklucza)
Memorial display at the Embassy of the United States, Warsaw, on June 13th (Via Wikimedia Commons/MiłośćNieWyklucza)

HANAHAN, S.C.–During Tuesday night’s Hanahan City Council meeting, members of the community took a moment to pause and remember two tragic events forever scarred in the minds of many Americans.

On June 12, 2016, a gunman walked inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando and opened fire.  The shooting resulted in 49 deaths, including the shooter, who was killed by police after a three-hour standoff. Another 53 were injured.

Thousand come together for a candlelight vigil in Orlando to honor the 49 victims who lost their lives (Via Pulse/Facebook)
Thousands come together for a candlelight vigil in Orlando to honor the 49 victims who lost their lives (Via Pulse/Facebook)

The attack was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history, and also the deadliest terrorist attack in the U.S. since the September 11 attacks.

“During this difficult time, the City of Hanahan offers our heartfelt condolences to the families of the forty-nine victims who lost their lives during the Pulse tragedy in Orlando, Florida,” stated Hanahan Mayor Minnie Newman. “To the families and friends of the victims, our City is with you and will continue to be with you as you deal with this unimaginable tragedy.”

Hanahan City Council Meeting on June 14th, 2016
Pictured: Hanahan City Council Meeting; Chief Dennis Turner is at the podium reading the names of the victims of the Orlando shooting.

To honor these victims and their families, the name of each victim was read aloud, followed by the ringing of a bell, at the beginning of the June 14, 2016, City Council meeting by Hanahan Police Chief Dennis Turner.

The Orlando shooting happened just five days before the grim anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME church shooting. On June 17, 2015, a 21-year-old gunman from the Midlands walked into the church during a prayer service, executing nine people–including the senior pastor and state senator,  Clementa C. Pinckney.

Victims of Charleston church shooting who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire on June 15th, 2015
Victims of Charleston church shooting who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire on June 17th, 2015

While remembering the victims of the Orlando shooting, the City of Hanahan also recognized those nine innocent people who lost their lives during the Charleston church massacre.

Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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