There are reports of a mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The church “has one of the oldest and largest black congregations” in the South. The pastor of the church is State Senator Clementa Pinckney.
The suspect was not immediately apprehended:
WANTED: Police looking for 21-year-old white male, slender, in grey hoodie, jeans and Timberland boots in #CharlestonShooting. #chsnews
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) June 18, 2015
At one point, a man was taken into custody. It was apparently not the shooter as the police say the suspect is still at large:
Charleston media saying man in custody is a local photographer. #chs police still searching for gunman. #CharlestonShooting
— Nathaniel Cary (@nathanielcary) June 18, 2015
Some background on the church:
FYI: In 1822 Denmark Vesey, one of Emanuel #AME Church's founders, organized a major slave revolt in Charleston, S.C. pic.twitter.com/827WNacXwx
— Phillip M. Bailey (@phillipmbailey) June 18, 2015
To say Emanuel #AME Church is historic is an understatement. It is the headquarters of one of the most important events in black history.
— Phillip M. Bailey (@phillipmbailey) June 18, 2015
#EmanuelAME is the definition of a liberation theology church. An intersection of black America's Christian faith and racial emancipation.
— Phillip M. Bailey (@phillipmbailey) June 18, 2015
9 people were killed:
BREAKING: Police: South Carolina church shooting being investigated as hate crime; 9 dead; some victims have survived.
— ABC News (@ABC) June 18, 2015
The police have released a photo of the subject:
PLEASE RETWEET: Police release better quality pics of #CharlestonShooting suspect and car. http://t.co/iVMEQ4XWwf pic.twitter.com/ZweTRf9lMd
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) June 18, 2015
Update:
There are reports of a second shooting at a church in Memphis, Tennessee. According to WMC Action News 5 shots were fired at the church “during choir rehearsal.”