South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley teared up alongside Charleston city leaders, as she spoke about the horrific murder that left nine people dead.
"We woke up today and the heart and soul of South Carolina was broken," she said.
On this day it didn't matter if you were a Republican or a Democrat. Leaders from both sides came together for solace, unity, and prayer. "The arrest of this awful man is part of our - for all of us in this community and in our country - to begin the the necessary process of our healing, together," Mayor Joe Riley said.
Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen and his team have been working non-stop, through the night, to catch the man they believe took the lives of nine innocent people at Mother Emanuel Church.
"It's a very tragic situation," he said. "A horrific situation. One that has touched the heart and soul of every person who lives in this community."
Leaders say the lives lost in this church will have a ripple effect across the country.
"Parents are having to explain to their kids how they can go to church and feel safe." Haley said "And that's not something we never think we would have to deal with."
With heavy hearts, community leaders are working together to ensure Charleston, and the country, will see a better day.
"Mother Emanuel Church and its congregation has risen before in flames, from earthquake, and other dark times to give hope to generations of Charlestonians," President Obama said. "With our prayers and our love and the buoyancy of hope, it will rise again, now, as a place of peace." Copyright 2015 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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The Columbia area man accused of shooting and killing nine people in a downtown Charleston church on Wednesday night is now back in the Lowcountry after being arrested in North Carolina. He is scheduled for a bond hearing Friday afternoon.
At about 6:15 p.m., Dylann Roof boarded a plane accompanied by law enforcement officials in Shelby, N.C. at Cleveland County Regional Airport. Nearly one hour later, the 21-year-old man arrived in Charleston and is being detained at the Al Cannon Detention Center.
During a quick first appearance in a Cleveland County, NC courthouse, Dylann Storm Roof chose not to fight extradition and then began the trip back to a city and state that is still in shock after what police call a hate crime took place at one of the oldest black churches in the South.
Law enforcement took the 21-year-old into into custody in Shelby, NC on Thursday morning during a traffic stop. Shelby, which is west of Charlotte, is approximately 245 miles from the shooting scene.
According to a police source in Charlotte, Roof made a stop in Charlotte before he was caught saying he "was here in Charlotte at one point because they got him using his credit card,"
Another source says police received information Roof was traveling along Highway 74. Police sources say law enforcement tracked Roof after he allegedly ditched his cellphone and was using someone else's phone.
According to Shelby Police, officials got a call just after 10:30 a.m. from Kings Mountain Police saying a business believed they had seen Roof's car. Shelby Police spotted him around ten minutes later driving west along East Dixon Boulevard, in Shelby.
He was pulled over, identified and arrested at 10:49 a.m. He was cooperative during the arrest.
Prior to the discovery of Roof, an active manhunt was taking place in several locations in the Midlands and across the state.
Public records show Roof was most recently arrested in February on drug charges. According to a spokesman for the Lexington County Sheriff's Department, he was booked in the detention center on February 28 and again on April 26 after being arrested by the Columbia Police Department.
According to Lexington School District One, Roof attended White Knoll High School for at least part of his 9th grade year. He also spent time at Carolina Spring Middle School and White Knoll Elementary.
He also spent several others inside Richland School District One. "According to information provided by the Office of Research, Power School records indicate that Dylann attended Rosewood in the fifth grade, Hand in the 6th and 7th grades and Dreher from March 1 – May 29, 2010," district spokeswoman Edith Caudle said.
Roof's last known address is a home on Garners Ferry Road in Eastover.
When WIS attempted to speak with Roof's father at a Columbia house, he refused. According to a law enforcement official, SLED had been at that home for several hours on Thursday.
The shooting, which law enforcement has classified as a hate crime, took place at Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston around 9:00 p.m.
Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said officers arrived to find eight people dead inside the church. A ninth victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
According to officials, the shooting occurred during a prayer meeting at the church.
The shooter stayed at the church for about an hour before shooting six women and three men, including the church's pastor state Sen. Clementa Pinckney.
Early Thursday morning, authorities released several surveillance images of Roof and his vehicle.
Copyright 2015 WIS. All rights reserved. WBTV contributed to this report.
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The 21-year-old man accused of shooting nine people at a historic downtown Charleston church has been locked up at the Al Cannon Detention Center following his extradition from North Carolina.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office officials said Roof will be held in isolation at the center.
Roof is expected to have a bond hearing on Friday, and will be charged with nine counts of murder.
Attorneys say Dylann Roof waived extradition in a Cleveland County courtroom in North Carolina early Thursday afternoon. Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said Roof was taken into custody just after 11 a.m. following a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina.
On Thursday afternoon, the Charleston County Coroner's Office identified the nine people who were killed at a shooting at the Emanuel AME Church.
Roof from Lexington, South Carolina was wanted for the murder of nine people at Emanuel AME Church. Authorities identified Roof as the shooting suspect Thursday morning. He was described as a white male, 21 years old, slender/small build, gray sweat shirt, blue jeans and clean shaven, and believed to be driving a dark in color Hyundai Elantra with vehicle tag LGF330.
Public records show Roof was most recently arrested in March in Lexington County on drug charges.
According to police, nine people were killed after shots were fired during a prayer meeting inside Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street around 9:05 p.m. Chief Mullen said officers arrived to find eight people dead inside the church. A ninth victim died later at a nearby hospital.
Three people survived the attack, Mullen said.
Mullen said Roof sat through an hour-long bible study before he began shooting church members. He then fled the scene.
Mullen said the shooting occurred during a prayer meeting at the church.
"We woke up today and the heart and soul of South Carolina was broken and so we are grieving and we have some pain we have to go through," said Gov. Nikki Haley on Thursday. "Parents are having to explain to their kids how they can go to church and feel safe and that's not something we ever thought we would deal with. Having said that we are a strong and faithful state. We love our state, we love our country and most of all we love each other."
The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime, Mullen said.
"This is clearly a tragedy in the City of Charleston," Mullen said."We are all praying and our hearts go out to the victims and their families as well as this entire community...When officers arrived they found a number of victims inside and we had also individuals who were transported to the MUSC emergency trauma center. As the investigation continued we were able to determine that there were eight deceased individuals inside of the church."
According to Mullen, one victim was transported to MUSC where they later died.
"We have investigators that are out tracking, leads are coming in and we will continue to do that until we find this individual who carried out this crime tonight and bring him to justice," Mullen said Wednesday night. "This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. It is senseless, it is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives."
"This is a most unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy," said Mayor Joe Riley. "People in prayer on Wednesday evening. A ritual of coming together, praying and worshiping God, and to have an awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable. Obviously, the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible."
"The only reason someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate, the only reason," Riley said. "It is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine, and we will bring that person to justice as soon as possible."
A helicopter assisted law enforcement on the scene. Witnesses reported a big police presence was seen at the Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street. The FBI and the Chaplain service are also on the scene.
"We have all the resources that are available to us, not only locally but from the state as well as federal agencies," Mullen said. "We have resources that are being flown in right now from Washington, D.C. that will help us not only track leads but also work this investigation. And I can say that we will put all effort, we will put all resources and all of our energy in finding the individual who committed this crime tonight."
"The message to the community is that this is an opportunity for us all to unite because of a significant tragedy that has occurred," Mullen said.
Mullen said he can understand the anger and upset throughout the community, but he urged calm and unity to pray for the families and help police track down the person responsible.
"And what we need is for the community to look at this and say, 'We have had enough of this violence, and if we stand up together, we can stop this violence.' And that's what we need the community to do," he said.
Brooks said while he is outraged over the hate crime, the NAACP is sending their prayers and condolences to the victims and their families.
Calhoun Street between Meeting Street and Anson Street, as well as Anson Street between Calhoun Street and George Street remain closed while police continue to investigate.
Man cleared following arrest on scene; Bomb threat called in
A man matching the suspect's description who was initially arrested at the scene has been released.
The man, identified as local photographer Austin Rich, says he was released after being questioned by police officers.
Around 11:30 p.m., police began pushing media and bystanders across Meeting Street after officers say a bomb threat was reported in the area of the crime scene. Officials announced Thursday at 12:45 a.m. the bomb threat had been called off.
Copyright 2015 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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As many across the country remembered the lives of the Charleston shooting victims, people in Columbia made their way to Bethel AME to pay their respect and remember those impacted by this tragedy.
Bethel AME pastor Dr. Ronnie Brailsford he feels like everyone is still in shock with how close to home by the incident. For him, the news was heartbreaking especially knowing it happened it happened in a church.
Still, Dr. Brailsford hoped the vigil would help people cope and folks say the event did just that.
“It gives us a chance to step beyond the boundaries that we always put on ourselves,” Tim Bupp said. “Whether it's Republic, Democrat. Whether it's Christian, whether it's black or white, we can step beyond those barriers and say we are one. We are the same people inside and out. And so, these prayer vigils give us a glimpse of what we can be as a people.”
Several politicians including Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin were on hand at the vigil.
Copyright 2015 WIS. All rights reserved.
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The 21-year-old man accused of shooting nine people at a Charleston church is on his way back following his arrest in North Carolina.
Attorneys say Dylann Roof waived extradition in a Cleveland County courtroom Thursday afternoon. Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said Roof was taken into custody just after 11 a.m. following a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina.
On Thursday afternoon, the Charleston County Coroner's Office identified the nine people who were killed at a shooting at the Emanuel AME Church.
The 21-year-old from Lexington, South Carolina was wanted for the murder of nine people at Emanuel AME Church. Authorities identified Roof as the shooting suspect Thursday morning. He was described as a white male, 21 years old, slender/small build, gray sweat shirt, blue jeans and clean shaven, and believed to be driving a dark in color Hyundai Elantra with vehicle tag LGF330.
Public records show Roof was most recently arrested in March in Lexington County on drug charges.
According to police, nine people were killed after shots were fired during a prayer meeting inside Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street around 9:05 p.m. Chief Mullen said officers arrived to find eight people dead inside the church. A ninth victim died later at a nearby hospital.
Three people survived the attack, Mullen said.
Mullen said Roof sat through an hour-long bible study before he began shooting church members. He then fled the scene.
Mullen said the shooting occurred during a prayer meeting at the church.
"We woke up today and the heart and soul of South Carolina was broken and so we are grieving and we have some pain we have to go through," said Gov. Nikki Haley on Thursday. "Parents are having to explain to their kids how they can go to church and feel safe and that's not something we ever thought we would deal with. Having said that we are a strong and faithful state. We love our state, we love our country and most of all we love each other."
The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime, Mullen said.
"This is clearly a tragedy in the City of Charleston," Mullen said."We are all praying and our hearts go out to the victims and their families as well as this entire community...When officers arrived they found a number of victims inside and we had also individuals who were transported to the MUSC emergency trauma center. As the investigation continued we were able to determine that there were eight deceased individuals inside of the church."
According to Mullen, one victim was transported to MUSC where they later died.
"We have investigators that are out tracking, leads are coming in and we will continue to do that until we find this individual who carried out this crime tonight and bring him to justice," Mullen said. "This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. It is senseless, it is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives."
"This is a most unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy," said Mayor Joe Riley. "People in prayer on Wednesday evening. A ritual of coming together, praying and worshiping God, and to have an awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable. Obviously, the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible."
"The only reason someone could walk into a church and shoot people praying is out of hate, the only reason," Riley said. "It is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine, and we will bring that person to justice as soon as possible."
A helicopter assisted law enforcement on the scene. Witnesses reported a big police presence was seen at the Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street. The FBI and the Chaplain service are also on the scene.
"We have all the resources that are available to us, not only locally but from the state as well as federal agencies," Mullen said. "We have resources that are being flown in right now from Washington, D.C. that will help us not only track leads but also work this investigation. And I can say that we will put all effort, we will put all resources and all of our energy in finding the individual who committed this crime tonight."
"The message to the community is that this is an opportunity for us all to unite because of a significant tragedy that has occurred," Mullen said.
Mullen said he can understand the anger and upset throughout the community, but he urged calm and unity to pray for the families and help police track down the person responsible.
"And what we need is for the community to look at this and say, 'We have had enough of this violence, and if we stand up together, we can stop this violence.' And that's what we need the community to do," he said.
Brooks said while he is outraged over the hate crime, the NAACP is sending their prayers and condolences to the victims and their families.
Calhoun Street between Meeting Street and Anson Street, as well as Anson Street between Calhoun Street and George Street remain closed while police continue to investigate.
Man cleared following arrest on scene; Bomb threat called in
A man matching the suspect's description who was initially arrested at the scene has been released.
The man, identified as local photographer Austin Rich, says he was released after being questioned by police officers.
Around 11:30 p.m., police began pushing media and bystanders across Meeting Street after officers say a bomb threat was reported in the area of the crime scene. Officials announced Thursday at 12:45 a.m. the bomb threat had been called off.
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The identities of the nine victims in the shooting that took place at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on Wednesday night were confirmed by the Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten Thursday afternoon.
The victims are:
Cynthia Hurd, 54 years old
Susie Jackson, 87 years old
Ethel Lance, 70 years old
Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49 years old
The Honorable Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 41 years old
Tywanza Sanders, 26 years old
Rev. Daniel Simmons, 74 years old, died at MUSC
Rev. Sharonda Singleton, 45 years old
Myra Thompson, 59 years old
"We all join in the sadness reflected in the community and these families," Wooten said on Thursday."As you can imagine [the families] are very much in shock and are in deep grief over these losses."
Wooten did not release too much information on the details of the deaths, and said that the process would be a lengthy one. "Based on our immediate observation and the report of what happened, it is obvious these individuals suffered gunshot wounds and as a result these individuals died."
Wooten said she's spent a time with the families and admired their strength in these trying times.
"I have to tell you they are the most gracious group of grieving individuals I've had, I hat to say, the pleasure to serve," Wooten said."But it's a pleasure to deal with such strong, wonderful people in the face of such a tragedy."
Before the official announcement by the coroner's office, many organizations who had ties to the victims released information on six of the victims and sent their condolences.
Elder James Johnson, President of the Charleston Chapter of the National Action News, said SC Senator Clementa C. Pinckney was among those killed inside the church. Pinckney, 41, served as pastor for Emanuel AME in addition to his role as a state senator for District 45.
Officials with the Charleston County Public Library announced that the library manager at their facility was also killed in the shooting. CCPL identified her as Cynthia Hurd and released the following statement:
"Cynthia worked with Charleston County Public Library 31 years, serving as branch manager of the John L. Dart Branch from 1990-2011 before becoming manager of the St. Andrews Regional Library. Her loss is incomprehensible, and we ask for prayers for her family, her co-workers, her church and this entire community as we come together to face this tragic loss.
“To honor our co-worker and all those lost, Charleston County Public Library's 16 locations are closed today, Thursday, June 18, 2015.”
Tywanza Sanders has been reported as the third victim. Sanders reportedly worked at Smitty's Super Seven Barber in Charleston.
"I've been up all night," Michele Gray said of learning her best friend, Tywanza Sanders, was killed in the deadly rampage. "My brother called me and it was shock, disbelief. I was like ‘you're lying. This cannot happen to us, cannot happen to his family'. I'm at a loss for words to even explain how I feel."
The fourth reported victim, Sharonda Singleton, was the head coach of the girls' track and field and a speech/ language pathologist at Goose Creek High School.
According to St. James AME in Cleveland, Ohio, Suzy Jackson was one of the nine victims shot to death in at the Emanuel AME Church Wednesday night. Jackson's son is a member of the church in Cleveland.
According to police, officers arrived to find eight people dead inside the church. A ninth victim, Rev. Simmons, died later at a nearby hospital.
Southern Weleyan University sent a press release regarding the death of DePayne Doctor stating:
As the world mourns for the nine victims in the wake of the June 17 shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, Southern Wesleyan University is mourning the loss of an employee and alumna. DePayne Doctor, admissions coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University's Charleston learning center, was in historic Emmanuel AME Church and was among the shooting victims.
President Todd Voss was shocked to hear this news.
“Always a warm and enthusiastic leader, DePayne truly believed in the mission of SWU to help students achieve their potential by connecting faith with learning,” Voss said “Our prayers go out to family and friends. This is a great loss for our students and the Charleston region.”
Doctor began work this past December at SWU's Charleston learning center. She received her BA in biology and life sciences from Columbia College and was a SWU alumna, having received her master's in management from SWU in 1994. She is an experienced grant writer, having worked with local school districts as a consultant. She also worked for local and state agencies in various roles and as data manager/analyst for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
Three people survived the attack, Mullen said.
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Loss Prevention Guy at Kroger in Marion, Ohio Tries His HARDEST & Fails Epic Style to Force an Alleged Shop Lifter to The Ground or ..Screaming at him "Get on Your Face!!" Half Gets him Into Handcuffs LMAO THE WHOLE TIME YOU CAN HEAR THE A.S.L SAY HE WILL WALK BACK IN THE STORE ON HIS OWN! I Started Recording after What Looked Like Rambo Punched the A.S.L in The Head. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED, I don't Own This Video For Your Enjoyment.
Credit to Ashley Cress on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashley.cress.7
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