Presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked for a moment of silence on Thursday while addressing the Faith & Freedom Coalition Policy Conference, in tribute to the nine people killed a day earlier when a white gunman stormed a historic black church in Charleston, S.C.
“Today the body of Christ is in mourning,” Cruz said, “that a sick and deranged person came and prayed with a historically black congregation for an hour, and then murdered nine innocent souls.”
He said Christians across the country were united in mourning the victims.
“I just want to begin with a moment of silence, remembering those who were murdered last night,” Cruz told the audience.
Watch the moment: