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Charleston church shooting: police release image of suspect – as it happened Charleston church shooting: police release image of suspect – as it happened
(25 days later)
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This live blog is now closed. For latest updates, check out our new live blog here.This live blog is now closed. For latest updates, check out our new live blog here.
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Here’s an updated summary of what we know so far:Here’s an updated summary of what we know so far:
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The Department of Justice has launched an official hate crime investigation into the church killings in Charleston, according ABC News.The Department of Justice has launched an official hate crime investigation into the church killings in Charleston, according ABC News.
JUST IN: DOJ Civil Rights Division, FBI and US Attorney's Office launch hate crime investigation into Charleston church mass shooting.JUST IN: DOJ Civil Rights Division, FBI and US Attorney's Office launch hate crime investigation into Charleston church mass shooting.
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A black cloth has been draped over the state senate seat and desk of Clementa Pinckney. The 41-year-old state senator, who was also a pastor at the church, was among the nine victims of the gunman.A black cloth has been draped over the state senate seat and desk of Clementa Pinckney. The 41-year-old state senator, who was also a pastor at the church, was among the nine victims of the gunman.
Black cloth covers Sen. Pinckney's seat in @scsenate. #scpol #sctweets @wis10 pic.twitter.com/peBESD3qABBlack cloth covers Sen. Pinckney's seat in @scsenate. #scpol #sctweets @wis10 pic.twitter.com/peBESD3qAB
State governor Nikki Haley has ordered flags to be flown at half mast, according to WBTV.State governor Nikki Haley has ordered flags to be flown at half mast, according to WBTV.
Gov. @nikkihaley orders flags at half-staff #CharlestonShooting http://t.co/wenMu6673m pic.twitter.com/TQ6wx9LEVQGov. @nikkihaley orders flags at half-staff #CharlestonShooting http://t.co/wenMu6673m pic.twitter.com/TQ6wx9LEVQ
That’s it from me, Raya Jalabi will be taking over the blog now from New York.That’s it from me, Raya Jalabi will be taking over the blog now from New York.
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“America does not have a monopoly on racism. But what makes its racism so lethal is the ease with which people can acquire guns,” writes Guardian columnist Gary Younge on Comment is free.“America does not have a monopoly on racism. But what makes its racism so lethal is the ease with which people can acquire guns,” writes Guardian columnist Gary Younge on Comment is free.
While the new conversation around race will mean the political response to the fact of this attack will be different, the stale conversation around gun control means the legislative response to the nature of this attack will remain the same. Nothing will happen.While the new conversation around race will mean the political response to the fact of this attack will be different, the stale conversation around gun control means the legislative response to the nature of this attack will remain the same. Nothing will happen.
After Adam Lanza shot 20 primary school children and six adults in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, in 2012 before turning his gun on himself, nothing happened. Seven children and teens are shot dead every day in America and nothing happens.After Adam Lanza shot 20 primary school children and six adults in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, in 2012 before turning his gun on himself, nothing happened. Seven children and teens are shot dead every day in America and nothing happens.
So these nine victims will join those who perished before them – a sacrifice to the blood-soaked pedestal erected around the constitution’s second amendment that gun lobbyists say guarantees the right of individuals to bear arms. Where guns are concerned this is what passes for American exceptionalism – an 18th century compromise with fatal 21st century ramifications. For the parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston nothing will ever be the same again. And for those who have the power to prevent it happening again, nothing will change.So these nine victims will join those who perished before them – a sacrifice to the blood-soaked pedestal erected around the constitution’s second amendment that gun lobbyists say guarantees the right of individuals to bear arms. Where guns are concerned this is what passes for American exceptionalism – an 18th century compromise with fatal 21st century ramifications. For the parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston nothing will ever be the same again. And for those who have the power to prevent it happening again, nothing will change.
Related: Charleston church shooting: Without gun control, racism will keep killing black people | Gary YoungeRelated: Charleston church shooting: Without gun control, racism will keep killing black people | Gary Younge
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Rev John Paul Brown, who will be leading prayers for the victims in Charleston, has urged the community against any retaliation for the attack. Speaking to WBTV he said: “At this point there is so much healing that is needed.” He said if the community chose to fight violence with violence it would lose. “As a faith community we would kill everything that we stand for [if we resorted to violence].”Rev John Paul Brown, who will be leading prayers for the victims in Charleston, has urged the community against any retaliation for the attack. Speaking to WBTV he said: “At this point there is so much healing that is needed.” He said if the community chose to fight violence with violence it would lose. “As a faith community we would kill everything that we stand for [if we resorted to violence].”
He then added this cryptic appeal” “Somebody knows something and we are depending that those people who know something think about the humanity about what should be done. And I believe it’s going to be a quick resolve.”He then added this cryptic appeal” “Somebody knows something and we are depending that those people who know something think about the humanity about what should be done. And I believe it’s going to be a quick resolve.”
Rev. Brown: Somebody knows something. He hopes that person will do the right thing #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/101TZg9hajRev. Brown: Somebody knows something. He hopes that person will do the right thing #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/101TZg9haj
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Timestamps on the new images show the suspect entering the church at 8.17pm. Police chief Mullen said the alarm was raised about a shooting at the church at 9.05pm. According to these timings the suspect spent about 50 minutes at the church before opening fire.Timestamps on the new images show the suspect entering the church at 8.17pm. Police chief Mullen said the alarm was raised about a shooting at the church at 9.05pm. According to these timings the suspect spent about 50 minutes at the church before opening fire.
.@CharlestonPD releases three new photos of #CharlestonShooting suspect and vehicle. pic.twitter.com/Kh8S4dOqjP.@CharlestonPD releases three new photos of #CharlestonShooting suspect and vehicle. pic.twitter.com/Kh8S4dOqjP
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Here are the images of the suspect. They show him entering the church.Here are the images of the suspect. They show him entering the church.
NEW PHOTOS of suspect accused of killing 9 people in #CharlestonShooting http://t.co/vLbWQ169zl #chsnews pic.twitter.com/z84L2P7hMbNEW PHOTOS of suspect accused of killing 9 people in #CharlestonShooting http://t.co/vLbWQ169zl #chsnews pic.twitter.com/z84L2P7hMb
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Here’s an updated summary of what we know so far:Here’s an updated summary of what we know so far:
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If you live in Charleston and the surrounding area, we would like to hear your first hand accounts and observations of the situation. You may also have information that you’d like to share with our journalists. You can share text, photos or videos with us by clicking on the blue ‘Contribute’ buttons on the top of this live blog, or go to GuardianWitness.If you live in Charleston and the surrounding area, we would like to hear your first hand accounts and observations of the situation. You may also have information that you’d like to share with our journalists. You can share text, photos or videos with us by clicking on the blue ‘Contribute’ buttons on the top of this live blog, or go to GuardianWitness.
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That’s it from the press conference. Here are the key new things we learned:
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Mullen says officers involved in the hunt have “taken this personal”. He adds: “We are going to get through it.”
Police are continuing to talk to survivors, he says. “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it is a hate crime,” Mullen adds.
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Three survivors
Mullen says there were three survivors of the attack.
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More images of the suspect will be released, Mullen says. He says the police do not know if anyone was targeted in the attack. He refuses to give details of the weapons used in the attack.
Chief Mullen: We don't know that anyone was targeted besides the church itself. pic.twitter.com/hifMNHg817
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In response to questions Mullen says he cannot give the identities of the victims. That information will have to come from the local coroner, he says.
Mullen says the suspect spent an hour with the Bible group before opening fire.
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“You will see an outpouring of love and kindness and help,” Riley says. He says he and his colleagues have hugged as many of members of the families of the victims as they could.
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Riley vows that the authorities will “make sure [the suspect] pays the price” for this “horrible act”. He says the community will “put its arms around” the Emanuel AME church.
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Mayor Riley begins by thanking the police. “This is an unspeakable act filled by someone with hate, and with a deranged mind,” he says.
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Mullen confirms that a support centre has been set up for the families of the victims. He repeats a warning not to approach the suspect. “This tragedy is indescribable, no one in this community will forget this night,” he says. “We will catch this individual”.
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FBI officials are being drafted from Washington to help in the manhunt, Mullen says.