Hundreds gather at Columbia church to mourn following Charleston shooting

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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Coroner identifies victims in Charleston church shooting

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.

Coroner Rae Wooten said the following died from Wednesday night's shooting: 54-year-old Cynthia Hurd, 87-year-old Susie Jackson, 70-year-old Ethel Lance, 49-year-old Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 41-year-old Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders, 74-year-old Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr. (who died at MUSC), 45-year-old Sharonda Singleton and 59-year-old Myra Thompson.



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.

Charleston Police released surveillance photos of the suspect during a 6 a.m. news conference. He was later identified by authorities shortly after 10 a.m.

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."

WATCH: Live 5 News continuing coverage

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."

SLIDESHOW: Shooting reported at downtown Charleston church

"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.

Cornell William Brooks, president and CEO of the NAACP, released a statement echoing those sentiments.

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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Nine victims' identities confirmed in Emanuel AME Church shooting

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.

Copyright 2015 WCSC. All rights reserved.

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Fight at Kroger in Marion,Ohio (EPIC FAIL)

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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Pizza driver shot and killed while making a delivery

A pizza delivery driver was killed overnight on Cleveland's west side.

Police say the 41-year-old Nunzio's Pizzeria driver was making a delivery in the 5800 block of Bridge Avenue near West 59th when he was shot around 12:30 a.m.

The worker was able to drive around the block to 6110 Ellen where he crashed into a pole and died from his injuries.

The victim has not been identified but family members say the victim Michael Prock. He was a freelance mechanic who took the second job delivering pizza to help with college costs for his 18-year-old daughter Carrie. She just recently graduated from Waverly High School. Prock's family has set up a burial fund for him. You can contribute by donating at any Fifth Third Bank. Prock will also be remembered at a vigil tonight. It begins at 7 p.m. in front of Nunzio's at West 73rd and Lorain.

Anyone with information related to this incident is being asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 623-5464.

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400 piglets killed, 200 more on the loose after crash

About 400 piglets died after a semi tractor-trailer carrying 2,200 crashed and overturned on U.S. 35 in this Dayton suburb late Monday.

About another 200 piglets escaped into nearby woods when the driver rounded a curve too quickly and lost control of the vehicle about 7 p.m. near the Main Street exit, Greene County sheriff's officials said early Tuesday.

"We are just not sure" how many of the animals may still be on the loose, said Deputy Jason Tavner."Once we got them all corralled, it was almost impossible to count them all at that point. They all went into big clumps."

In all, 1,500 piglets that survived were either rescued from the vehicle or captured after scampering into nearby woods.



The piglets who were rounded up were taken to the Greene County Fairgrounds, where a veterinarian attended to those requiring medical care. The animals also were given food and water.

The piglets who were rounded up were taken to the Greene County Fairgrounds, where a veterinarian attended to those requiring medical care. The animals also were given food and water. The piglets will be picked up at the fairgrounds sometime Tuesday and driven to Indiana, Tavner said.

That's where they were headed from South Carolina when the crash occurred, prompting several agencies to respond. Neighboring farmers also assisted by helping to transport the animals to the fairgrounds. The driver of the semi was unhurt, but his fiance and passenger suffered a minor injury and was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Tavner said. The driver was cited for failure to control and was speeding about 70 mph in a 50 mph zone. His name was not released.

The vehicle was towed off the the road overnight. U.S 35 was shut down for about eight hours before reopening around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

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National Action Network pleased with Slager indictment

Officials with the National Action Network said they were pleased with the announcement of Michael Slager's indictment for the murder of Walter Scott and asked for some cases to be reopened. 

"The murder indictment is a tremendous step in the right direction," said Rev. Nelson Rivers who spoke along with Elder James Johnson during a press conference in downtown Charleston on Monday. "Maybe South Carolina and maybe even Charleston and North Charleston has a chance to lead the country on how to respond to police accountability to the use of deadly force by police officers against unarmed citizens particularly unarmed African Americans, and African American males especially."

Rivers credited the grand jury, Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, the chief of police and Mayor Keith Summey on "getting us to this place." 

He also commended the community for keeping its protests peaceful during the difficult and emotional case. 

"Right now the system is working as it should," Rivers said."[Slager] was charged for murder and he was fired for murder. So what we've asked for has now been done."

The organization also called on authorities to reopen other cases of alleged police brutality that may have been overlooked. 

Johnson cited the case of 19-year-old Denzel Curnell who police say shot himself during a confrontation with a Charleston police officer. 

Copyright 2015 WCSC. All rights reserved. 

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