Following a shooing in Charleston, S.C., Congresswoman Alma Adams, D-12, on Thursday expressed her condolences for victims, families and friends who were affected.

The shooting occurred Wednesday inside of Emanuel AME Church, which is located in east Charleston.

In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Adams said: ” I was sickened to learn nine parishioners were murdered in Charleston, in a disgusting act of violence. The pastor of the church, Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney, who was also a South Carolina State Senator; as well as North Carolina State Senator Malcolm Graham’s sister, were among the nine. These senseless murders are incredibly heartbreaking. I will be keeping the family and friends of all of the victims, as well as the entire Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and surrounding community in my prayers. Today we must join together to stand against evil acts of violence and hate. I hope to see justice prevail in this case.”

Adams represents a portion of Rowan County in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her district starts in Winston Salem and Greensboro and extends to Charlotte.