New Jersey family mourns loss of Charleston massacre victim

FRANKLIN, N.J. (WABC) -- Some New Jersey residents are mourning the loss of a family menber who was one of the Charleston massacre victims. She is identified as 87-year-old Susie Jackson.

Her grandson, Walter Jackson Jr. who lives in Franklin, New Jersey, wrote on Facebook, "Woke up this morning, saying to myself...."It was all a dream"! Then my heart got heavy and the tears started up again and I realized that this is real!"

Another grandson, 36-year-old Tim Jackson told Newsnet5 in Cleveland, "It's just hard to process that my grandmother had to leave Earth this way. It's real real hard. It's challenging because I don't believe she deserved to go this way. It hurts to process."

She was one of 9 people killed when a white man who joined a prayer meeting inside The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolin suddenly opened fire. Police have arrested Dylann Storm Roof in connection with the shootings.

Susie Jackson was a longtime member of the church, and served in the choir and on the usher board. Tim Jackson said she was a very loving, giving person with a great smile.

Susie Jackson visited her family in Cleveland two weeks ago.

"Just her being here about two weeks ago gave us a chance to see her smiling and laughing and saying hi to the grandkids," added Jackson.

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