The Charleston Church Shooting occurred on June 17, 2015, at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. A gunman, later identified as Dylann Roof, entered the church during a prayer service and opened fire, killing nine African American church members. The attack was racially motivated and targeted the historic congregation. In the aftermath, the shooting sparked national conversations about gun control, racism, and the symbolism of the Confederate flag, which Roof had displayed. The event led to increased calls for reforms and a reevaluation of how society addresses issues of hate and violence.