This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/charleston-shooting-incident-latest-news-updates-active-gunman-south-carolina-police-a7911156.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Charleston incident: Active shooter reported in commercial district Charleston shooting: At least one person shot as active hostage situation unfolds in South Carolina
(35 minutes later)
Police in Charleston, South Carolina, have said they are investigating an active shooter situation and have told residents to avoid the area. Police in Charleston, South Carolina, have said they were responding to an active shooter who had taken several hostages in a restaurant.
A section of King Street, in the city's central commercial district, was blocked to cars and pedestrians because of the situation, Charleston Police spokesman Charles Francis said in a statement. A section of King Street, in the city's central commercial district, was blocked to cars and pedestrians because of the situation, Charleston Police spokesman Charles Francis said in a statement, and the police are reportedly treating the incident as an active hostage situation. At least one person has been shot, according to the The Post and Courier of Charleston.
More follows... The paper quoted diners from a restaurant who recounted a man entering with a pistol and saying “I am the new king of Charleston”. Other witnesses told the newspaper the gun-toting man said “There's a new boss in town.” 
The city's mayor said the shooter was likely a “disgruntled employee,” according to the Post and Courier.
“This was not an act of terrorism,” said Mayor John Tecklenburg. “This was not a hate crime.”
Bomb squad members and SWAT team officers both arrived at the scene, according to a reporter for the Post and Courier.
 
 
Another reporter shared an image of what seemed to be a sniper in position.