New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed Thursday that the city would increase its police presence at black churches after the deadly shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I want everyone to know, there’s no place in New York City for this kind of hatred,” Mr. de Blasio said, a local NBC affiliate reported. “And that we — through the NYPD — have increased our resources directed at protecting African-American churches in this city as a precaution.”
Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, was arrested Thursday in Shelby, North Carolina, in connection with the massacre at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church Wednesday night. Nine were killed in the shooting, including the church’s pastor.
“There are so many people here who hail from South Carolina, and it’s a very, very painful moment for all of us,” Mr. de Blasio said, adding that there were no known threats to black churches in the city.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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