Nine Killed In Black Church in Charleston
CHARLESTON, S.C (AP) - Last night a white male opened fired in the historically black, Emanuel AME Church, killing nine church members one in which included church pastor and State Sen. Clementa Pinckney.
The shooting that has been classified as a hate crime, was said to be carried out by a white man who appeared to be in his early 20s.
DAVID GOLDMAN/AP PHOTO The steeple of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley said:
"The only reason that someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate," Riley said. "It is the most dastardly act that one could possibly imagine, and we will bring that person to justice. ... This is one hateful person."
As of this morning, the shooter is still at large, leaving a lot of people understandably frightened.
Charleston Police Chief,Greg Mullen said, "We will put all effort, we will put all resources and we will put all of our energy into finding this individual who committed this crime tonight,"
The victims of the shooting were six females and three males, Mullen said this morning. The names of the victims have yet to be released.
Charleston, S.C., police released these photos of the suspect that opened fire during a prayer meeting inside a historic black church Wednesday night, killing nine. Authorities asked the public to call 1-800-CALL-FBI with tips.
This shooting comes only two months after that other fatal shooting that took place in North Charleston, where an African American man named Walter Scott was shot and killed by a white officer, launching a national uproar and later a federal indictment.
UPDATE: Suspect has been named as 21-year old Dylan Storm Roof from the Columbia area
UPDATE: Suspect, Dylan Roof confesses to killing church members