Charleston Police Release Photo Of Suspected Shooter Who Killed 6 Women, 3 Men At Historic Church
Police have labeled Wednesday night’s attack on a historically Black church that left nine dead a hate crime.
At about 9:00 PM EDT Wednesday night a man police describe as white, 21-25 years old, slender build, sandy blond hair opened fire in one of the nation’s most historic churches, killing six women and three men. There were reportedly three survivors.
EARLIER TODAY:Â ‘Senseless, Unfathomable Hate Crime’: Cops Confirm 9 Dead In Charleston Historic Black Church Attack
Charleston Police have released an image of the suspect, above.
According to Chief of Police Gregory Mullen, the suspect had entered the church an hour earlier, where members of a bible study group were holding a meeting and praying.
Chief Mullen at a 1:00 AM press conference described the act as a “hate crime,” “senseless,” and “unfathomable.” Local, regional, and national law enforcement are involved, including the FBI.
Among the dead are Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a 41-year old South Carolina Democratic state senator and the pastor of the 19th century church.Â
.@TheRevAl on Charleston church shooting: What is sacred if we can’t go to bible study in a church? http://t.co/kF2WqWiniw
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) June 18, 2015
At a 7:00 AM press conference, Mullen again said, “There is no doubt in my mind that this is a hate crime.”
The FBI will investigate the #CharlestonShooting at a historic, black church as a hate crime: http://t.co/NddxtyAh9d
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) June 18, 2015
“This tragedy that we’re addressing right now is indescribable,†Mullen said. “The law enforcement agencies that are working on this are committed and we will capture this individual.â€
Calling the suspect a “very dangerous individual†who should not be approached, Mullen said the massacre is “a situation that is unacceptable in any society, especially in our society, our city.”
It’s important to note this church has been central to the cvil rights movement for centuries.
As people here have raised, history of attacks on black churches is long and violent — AME church was burned in the 1820s
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) June 18, 2015
Emanuel AME, a storied church in a historic city http://t.co/gkHyaO3aw2 #CharlestonShooting
— Mira Lowe (@miralowe) June 18, 2015
“It’s not just a church. It’s also a symbol … of black freedom†http://t.co/IfEKPOAey1
— Garance Franke-Ruta (@thegarance) June 18, 2015
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