Obama was to pay tribute to the Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church who were slain at the church during a Bible study session last week in what authorities are investigating as a racially motivated attack.
Friday's service for Pinckney, who was also a state senator, promised to be another wrenching but cathartic occasion for the community to say goodbye to the victims. Obama was scheduled to attend with first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.
