Newlyweds fundraising page removed for Charleston shooting suspect’s sister

An online fundraiser benefiting Amber Roof – the sister of Charleston shooting suspect Dylann Roof – raised more than $1,600 in four days before it was taken down early Thursday afternoon.

The GoFundMe.com page for Amber Roof and Michael Tyo of Shelby was launched on Saturday with the title “A Fresh Start for Michael and Amber” and a tag of “Newlyweds.” A note signed by “The Tyo’s” told potential donors that the couple canceled their planned June 21 wedding after nine people were shot and killed in a church in Charleston, S.C., three days before.

Amber Roof’s 21-year-old brother, Dylann Roof, is charged with nine counts of murder. He was arrested the day after the shootings, after a motorist reported seeing him driving in Gaston and Cleveland counties, just west of Charlotte. Dylann Roof was taken into custody within a short distance of Michael Tyo’s house in Shelby, but there is no indication he intended to go there. He told authorities he was going to Tennessee.

The “Fresh Start for Michael and Amber” page appears to have been created on Saturday. More than 33 people donated before the page was removed Thursday afternoon. GoFundMe confirmed that Amber Roof created the campaign page and removed it herself.

GoFundMe pages do not have to reach a set dollar goal in order for someone to collect donations. Users can withdraw at any time, even after canceling a campaign.

“Our wedding day was full of sorrow, pain, and shame, tainted by the actions of one man,” the couple’s note read. “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.”

Roof and Tyo planned to use the money for lost wedding costs, bills and a “dream honeymoon,” they wrote.

The page also indicated the couple would donate 10 percent of the money to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where the victims were shot during a bible study session.

The campaign drew media attention Thursday morning. Most of the comments posted on the page criticized the fundraising effort as selfish.

No one responded to a request to comment sent through the GoFundMe page Thursday morning.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Newlyweds fundraising page removed for Charleston shooting suspect’s sister."