CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church's pastor, state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, was among the nine killed in Wednesday night's mass shooting. Here are five facts about the senator:
1. Pinckney won election to the South Carolina senate in 2000 at the age of 27, becoming the youngest African American to do so. He had previously been elected to the state's House of Representatives at 23.
2. Pinckney was the pastor at Mother Emanuel AME Church. He began preaching at his church at age 13, and by age 18, he was appointed pastor.
3. Pinckney resided in Ridgeland and was born July 30, 1973 in Beaufort. He earned his B.A. from Allen University in 1995 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1999.
4. On October 23, 1999 Pinckney married Jennifer Benjamin. They have two children, Eliana and Malana.
5. Pinckney was among several South Carolina pastors to hold rallies after the shooting of Walter Scott.