Sen. Tim Scott: Charleston Shooting “Brought our Community Together”

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Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the first black American elected to the Senate since Reconstruction, appeared on Face the Nation Sunday to discuss the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Scott also weighed in on the meaning of the Confederate flag in his state and whether there are any legislative solutions that could prevent another attack like the one in Charleston.

“When we look for the reasons why this happened, it is hard to understand when evil is just overtaking the heart, the mind is just demented, this is obviously a case of racism,” Scott said. “His actions were driven by hatred. And that is the clear and dominant reason this happened.”

Local law enforcement officials arrested Dylann Roof last week in Shelby, North Carolina which is roughly 240 miles from Charleston, where he shot and killed 9 people during a Bible study. Roof, 21, of Colombia, S.C., apparently wanted to start a race war, something he has so far failed miserably at.

A citizen reported suspicious activity after noticing the suspect’s vehicle and the police officer who responded knew immediately that it was the person authorities were looking for. Roof, who was cooperative, was arrested and taken into custody without incident.

“Well there is no doubt that when your mind and your heart are consumed with hatred and with racist motivations, that he sought to create a ‘race war,’ according to his own words in this country,” Sen. Scott said. “What he has done for South Carolina and what he has done for Charleston is he has brought our community together. One of the beautiful scenes I have seen, etched into my memory now, was at the Morris Brown church, we had such a diverse gathering of Charlestonians and South Carolinians coming to pay respect and homage to the families.”