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South Carolina church shooting: At least nine people dead after gunfire at black church in Charleston South Carolina church shooting: At least nine people dead after gunfire at black church in Charleston
(35 minutes later)
The Charleston Police Department is searching for a white male suspect after the "hate crime" shooting of nine people at a South Carolina church late Wednesday night.The Charleston Police Department is searching for a white male suspect after the "hate crime" shooting of nine people at a South Carolina church late Wednesday night.
Police are looking for a 21-year-old white male described as clean-shaven, wearing a grey hoodie, jeans and Timberland-style boots following the killings at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Police are looking for a 21-year-old white male described as slim-built, clean-shaven, with sandy hair, wearing a grey hoodie, blue jeans and Timberland-style boots following the killings at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Eight of the victims are believed to have died inside the building, while another died shortly afterwards. They have not yet been identified. Eight of the victims are believed to have died inside the building, while another died shortly afterwards.
They have not yet been identified, but there are reports that South Carolina Senator and church pastor Clementa Pinckney, who was inside the church at the time of the shooting, may be among the dead.
Police still searching for suspect in Calhoun St shooting.Police still searching for suspect in Calhoun St shooting.
City police chief Gregory Mullen said the incident was being treated as a "hate crime", the BBC reported. City police chief Gregory Mullen told reporters the incident was being treated as a "hate crime".
He also confirmed that the shooting was reported hours after a bomb threat was called into the church.He also confirmed that the shooting was reported hours after a bomb threat was called into the church.
“He is, obviously, extremely dangerous,“ Mr Mullen said.
Suspect in shooting on Calhoun St is a w/m approx 21 slender small build wearing a grey sweat shirt blue jeans timberland boots clean shavenSuspect in shooting on Calhoun St is a w/m approx 21 slender small build wearing a grey sweat shirt blue jeans timberland boots clean shaven
The shooting took place at around 9pm, while a meeting was taking place inside the church, the Charleston Post and Courier reported. A white man carrying a camera and recording device was briefly detained at a gas station close to the scene, but police are still searching for the gunman. The shooting took place at around 9pm, while a Bible study meeting was taking place inside the church, the Charleston Post and Courier reported. A white man carrying a camera and recording device was briefly detained at a gas station close to the scene, but police are still searching for the gunman.
Charleston media saying man in custody is a local photographer. #chs police still searching for gunman. #CharlestonShootingCharleston media saying man in custody is a local photographer. #chs police still searching for gunman. #CharlestonShooting
Mayor Joe Riley said: "This is an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy in this most historic church, an evil and hateful person took the lives of citizens who had come to worship and pray together." Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley said: "This is the most unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy.
“People in prayer, coming together, praying and worshipping God, to have an awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable, obviously the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible.”
This is Powerful. Local pastors, collectively are seen praying down the street from shooting scene. #Charleston pic.twitter.com/44TnFh1xZqThis is Powerful. Local pastors, collectively are seen praying down the street from shooting scene. #Charleston pic.twitter.com/44TnFh1xZq
The church is the oldest and largest black church in the South and is led by South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney, according to its website. Denmark Vesey, the church’s founder, was executed for organising a major slave rebellion in 1822. South Carolina governor Nikki Haley said her family was praying “for the victims and families touched by tonight’s senseless tragedy... While we do not yet know all of the details, we do know that we’ll never understand what motivates anyone to enter one of our places of worship and take the life of another,” she said.
The church is the oldest and largest black church in the South. Denmark Vesey, the church’s founder, was executed for organising a major slave rebellion in 1822.
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