Religious Communities Gather To Honor Four Officers Killed

CHARLOTTE- In the wake of darkness and tragedy, Charlotte is finding a way to pick up the pieces and come together. 

Monday’s shootout in east charlotte left four officers dead and four others injured while they were trying to serve a warrant on Galway Drive.

Just a little over 24 hours later, multiple faith communities in the Queen City came together at Little Rock AME Zion Church to stand as one. 

“When things like this happen, we just all need to be together and share our faith and our love and our hope for a better future,” said Annie Keith with the Jewish Community Center.

Different beliefs and different prayers, all with one goal. 

“Right now, there are no words we can speak, what we can do is things like the prayer vigil that is happening tonight, we can love each other better, talk to each other better, listen better,” said Donnell FitzJefferies with the University City United Methodist Church.

Theo Schaffer used to be CMPD’s lead chaplain. He talked with WCCB’s Emma Mondo about the importance of leaning on each other. 

“Us as a community as a city, it’s not about us, it’s about ALL of us, we need to get out of our own way and be there for those who are saving us who leave their homes every day without the guarantee that they will come back home.”

Schaffer says that with Chief Johnny Jennings’ blessing, he started a spiritual wellness division at the police department.

“Kind of like Iron man in Marvel, if we can get this right,” showing his heart, “it kind of drives everything else. The best thing that officers and first responders and employees can do is to try their best to reach out, text, call and get connected.”