Thousands Expected For President’s Tribute To Charleston Victims

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The first black president of the United States is coming to Charleston, South Carolina, to eulogize the victims of a mass shooting at a historic African-American church.

Thousands of mourners are expected to gather Friday to hear President Barack Obama pay tribute to the Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The nine were fatally shot during a Bible study session at the church in what authorities are investigating as a racially motivated attack.

Pinckney's funeral will be another wrenching but cathartic occasion to say goodbye to the victims killed at the church last week. The first two victims' funerals were held Thursday, with tight security and emotional responses to the eulogies and hymns.