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Malcolm Graham's Sister Was One Of The Charleston Shooting Victims

The sister of former N.C. Sen. Malcolm Graham was one of the nine people killed inside Emanuel AME Church when a white man opened fire during a prayer meeting at the historic black church in downtown Charleston on Wednesday night.

N.C. Sen. Joel Ford, a friend of Graham’s, confirmed that the sister was one of the victims and asked the state Senate on Thursday to send a prayer to his family.


“As we continue to deliberate public policy let’s keep in mind the practical application of that policy,” Ford said.

Graham, who is from Charleston, told the Observer early Thursday that his sister’s condition was unclear. Police haven’t officially released the IDs of the victims.

The former Charlotte City Council member was on his way to Charleston. His wife said they’ve been up all night and that the family is asking for privacy.

Ken Koontz, a Charlotte businessman, said he spoke Thursday morning with Graham, who confirmed that “a relative” was killed in the shooting.

“He sounded shaken,” Koontz said.

Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter also spoke with Graham on Thursday, but declined further comment, a spokeswoman said.

Graham attends Friendship Missionary Baptist, a prominent African-American church on Beatties Ford Road whose members also include former Charlotte mayors Harvey Gantt and Anthony Foxx.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Clifford Jones Sr., said he and its 8,000-plus members “will be there” for Graham.

“We offer pastoral support,” Jones said. “And the church family will certainly embrace him.”

STAFF WRITERS DAVID PERLMUTT, JIM MORRILL AND ANDREW DUNN CONTRIBUTED.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article24842785.html#storylink=cpy