'God bless them!' Families of #CharlestonShooting victims 'forgive' Dylann Roof [video]

Posted at 2:59 pm on June 19, 2015 by Sarah D.

During #CharlestonShooting suspect Dylann Storm Roof‘s first court hearing this afternoon, something amazing happened:

#CharlestonShooting victims families permitted to give victim impact statements. They offer forgiveness. pic.twitter.com/oofr8qRFTP
— One Of We (@Meeeech_L) June 19, 2015

Remarkable moments as #CharlestonShooting victim's survivors espouse prayer and forgiveness at suspect's first court appearance.
— Rick Folbaum (@RickFolbaum) June 19, 2015

"We have no room for hate so we have to forgive." -Family of victim speaking to suspect Dylann Roof #CharlestonShooting
— Anne McCloy (@AnneMcCloyNews) June 19, 2015

Family members of the victims are speaking at the hearing. So far every one has told Dylann Roof they forgive him. Wow.
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) June 19, 2015

Daughter of one of the victims to Roof in the bond hearing. Weeping"I forgive you.You hurt me,you hurt a lot of people,but God forgives you"
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 19, 2015

UNBELIEVABLE: the love & forgiveness members of Charleston victims families showed thru their anger when speaking to suspected killer now.
— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) June 19, 2015

The #CharlestonShooting victims families are amazing beyond words. Offer #DylannRoof forgiveness, say hate won't win pic.twitter.com/9RfEL49iry
— ed lavandera (@edlavaCNN) June 19, 2015

I am a non-Christian, and I must say: This is a remarkable advertisement for Christianity. https://t.co/rmMgD5S013
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) June 19, 2015

We can’t even begin to imagine the pain these families are feeling. Would we be capable of forgiving someone for something so horrible? Would you?

these victims' families are a lot nicer than I would be….I admire these families.
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) June 19, 2015

Better person than I am, for sure. https://t.co/No6YGY9fgJ
— Nathan! 2016 (@NathanWurtzel) June 19, 2015

The victim's families are way better than me.
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 19, 2015

My hats are off to the SC victims families, in this circumstance, forgiveness would a virtue I'd be sorely lacking in.
— C. Cathcart Speaks (@onediaspora) June 19, 2015

what the victim's families said in the courtroom- I could not do it. forgiveness? They are better people than me without a doubt.
— April ♌ (@aprilfe) June 19, 2015

I could never commend a victim's family enough for having the strength to choose forgiveness. It could never be me.
— Freshy-Marie (@Freshtine_) June 19, 2015

Those bereaved families have so much more forgiveness for that racist killer than I do. I'm awed.
— Stephanie Lucianovic (@grubreport) June 19, 2015

these victims' fams are much greater ppl than me.the fact that they can coherently speak right now,let alone talk abt forgiveness, beyond me
— Jennifer Cohen (@jenlcohen) June 19, 2015

I am not this good of a person. That they are makes it all the more tragic a loss. https://t.co/abQdYmce9G
— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) June 19, 2015

Families of victims show the power of Christ is love & forgiveness. My heart breaks for these families. I doubt I could be as forgiving.
— Rudy (@USAfree123) June 19, 2015

It’s truly incredible.

The grace & love in the words of the victim's families toward the shooter were unbelievably humbling & kind. Wow. #CharlestonShooting
— Kelly Clinger (@kellyclinger) June 19, 2015

Powerfully moving statements from the families of the victims of the #CharlestonShooting. Forgiveness and faith are their theme.
— Better off Fred (@fredontwittur) June 19, 2015

@tamronhall amazing the forgiveness they have.
— Sarah McCann (@sldmccann) June 19, 2015

Hate is easy, listening to those 9 families talk love and forgiveness for that perpetrator is stunning & inspiring #RealFollowersOfChrist
— Matt Hall (@mattyjsoldier) June 19, 2015

The families of the #CharlestonShooting victims proclaim forgiveness in their anguish. Such courage. I have no words.
— Lana Veenker (@lanaveenker) June 19, 2015

Man. They are so strong. The ability to have compassion and forgiveness in the close proximity of evil is just….wow
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) June 19, 2015

@chrislhayes powerful stuff.
— Taylor (@Taylor__DC) June 19, 2015

I was raised a Christian and what was just on display was the core of what I still love about the faith & am thankful for being raised in it
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 19, 2015

The display of love forgiveness & compassion & strength of character by the families was incredible ! Love over hate. Amen
— Coach John Brady (@JohnBrady_Coach) June 19, 2015

Looking at the man who slaughtered their loved ones & they preach love, forgiveness & vow that they won't let hate win. Extraordinary
— Melissa J Adams (@Melj0606) June 19, 2015

Beautiful. Truly. https://t.co/QKOi1SBcqn
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) June 19, 2015

The grace & forgiveness displayed by the #CharlestonShooting victims' families is profoundly beautiful.
— Paul Goldsmith (@PaulJGoldsmith) June 19, 2015

The fact that members of the victims families have the strength to stand and offer forgiveness is an incredibly powerful statement.
— Alysa Jade (@alysajade) June 19, 2015

Not enough can be said about the family members of the victims. That was nothing but Grace in the bond hearing..
— Ava Wilhite (@AvaWil_ABCnews4) June 19, 2015

I want to weep. Only true believers can exude forgiveness on that level!!!!!!! #leadingbyexample https://t.co/khtSt9LeV3
— Tessa Spencer (@tspencertv) June 19, 2015

I'm humbled by these family members' courage. Forgiveness so quickly is unbelievable to me. They are amazing people.
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 19, 2015

I am absolutely numb hearing the forgiveness family members extended to Dylann Roof during his arraignment. God bless them!
— Daniel Cole (@PhoebesLaw) June 19, 2015

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets and video.