BUFFALO, N.Y. – Rev. Sharon Risher, the daughter of Ethel Lance and cousin of Tywanza Sanders and Susie Jackson, victims in the 2015 massacre at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C., expressed her heartfelt empathy for the families impacted by the recent Buffalo mass shooting. With a profound understanding of the anguish caused by such devastating acts, Risher offered her perspective on the aftermath of facing hate crimes and murder trials.
Drawing from her personal experience of losing loved ones to a white supremacist shooting, Risher emphasized the endless agony caused by reliving the trauma during the trial process and the absence of closure brought by the death sentence of the perpetrator. While acknowledging the natural inclination to seek vengeance, she shared the conflict and eventual realization that the death penalty did not aid in her healing process, but rather prolonged the suffering for her family.
Risher highlighted the unintended consequence of the death penalty, whereby the focus shifts to the perpetrator, reigniting the pain for the victims’ families with each appeal or headline. Drawing parallels from her own experience, she encouraged the reassessment of the potential benefits of a life sentence for the perpetrator in the Buffalo supermarket shooting, advocating for a path towards healing without the uncertainty of a death sentence.
Ultimately, Rev. Sharon Risher urged for the families impacted by the recent tragedy to find comfort and an opportunity for healing, emphasizing the importance of moving forward without the lingering specter of a death penalty and potential appeals. With compassion and understanding, she offered her insights and support, hoping for a journey towards peace and closure for all those affected by the senseless violence in Buffalo.