Charleston gunman Dylann Roof, who took the lives of nine members of Emanuel AME Church, thwarted his sister’s wedding plans when he selfishly committed a heinous crime on Wednesday, June 17. Amber Roof planned to marry U.S. Army Reserve recruiter Michael Tyo at The Mitchell House and Gardens in Lexington, Kentucky on June 21.
A GoFundMe page was set up seeking $5,000 to recoup “wedding costs, pay bills, and fund a dream honeymoon.” The couple offered to give 10 percent of the donations to Emanuel AME Church.
But on Thursday afternoon, July 2, 2015, five days and $1,600 into the fundraiser, the GoFundMe request was removed. Before it was removed, it read:
Dear Family & Friends,
As many of you know Michael and I had to abruptly cancel our wedding day, due to the tragedy that occurred in Charleston. June 21st was suppose (sic) to be the happiest day of our lives. It is the day every girl dreams of, it was the day we dreamed of. We had each other, we have the perfect venue, and we had our vows ready to be read. We were ready! We had planned out every detail for months and months. It was going to be the PERFECT day!
Our wedding day was suppose to be the most important and special day of our lives. It was suppose to start our lives together with our new family. Our day was the exact opposite. Our wedding day was full of sorrow, pain, and shame, tainted by the actions of one man.
The Charleston Massacre took place and our lives were forever changed. The media abused our privacy and published all of our wedding information and destroyed our dream day. Destroying the first day of Michael and my life together.
We cancelled our wedding to protect our family and mourn the lives of those lost. Many friends and family members came into town and took time off of work to be there for us. We could not ask you to do that again.
We would like the chance to start our lives on a positive note. Therefore, we have decided to start a Go Fund Me account. We know money cannot replace the wedding we lost and our perfect day, however it will help us to create new memories and a new start with our new family.
Money raised will be used to cover lost wedding costs, to pay bills, and to send us on our dream honeymoon. 10% of all funds raised will be donated to Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. We thank you for any contribution you can make.
Our lives have been forever changed and touched by all the love and support you have shown us through this difficult time. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS! GOD BLESS!Love, The Tyo’s
Here’s an “Amber” Alert! Your brother took nine innocent lives that no GoFundMe donation could ever replace. Since you promised a tithe, 10 percent of the proceeds, please be sure to honor your promise. Or better yet, since you have proven yourself as self-centered as your brother, out of respect for the families of the victims, donate the entire amount to the church.
