The president of the Nashville International Center for Empowerment and native of Sudan said the alleged actions of the deadly church shooting suspect do not represent his community.
Gatluak Thach of NICE told NewsChannel 5 that the shooting was heartbreaking because the city of Nashville and Sudanese community have mutually helped each other for many years.
The alleged gunman, 25-year-old Emanuel Samson, is a legal immigrant from Sudan who moved to the country in the mid 90s.
"It's not representing Sudanese or doing this in behalf of Sudanese. I don't think the people of Nashville will look at the Sudanese as though this actually represents them," said Thach.
Officials have not released the motive behind the shooting that killed a woman and injured several others at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch on Sunday.
A police spokesperson said Samson had attended the church before and was recognized by other church members.
"The Sudanese in Tennessee or who have come to America, majority of them are Christians," added Thach.
The Sudanese population in middle Tennessee is approximately 5,000, according to NICE.
The region is third in the country with the largest Sudanese population.
Thach moved as a refugee to Tennessee in 1996 and has since seen the community grow. It is a country made up of different communities with dozens of tribal languages.
The northern African nation was listed in the president's travel ban but was recently removed.
"It is a very friendly culture, they love food, music and they love to dance together," said Thach.
