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Charleston church shooting: police hunt suspect in 'hate crime' – latest updates Charleston church shooting suspect named as Dylann Roof – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
10.24am ET15:24
Suspect reportedly identified
The suspect in the shooting has been identified as 21-year-old Dylann Roof of Columbia, South Carolina by Lexington PD and Berkeley County. The FBI has confirmed to Reuters that Roof is the suspect.
Reuters is also reporting that the suspect’s uncle recognized his nephew from the photo released. “The more I look at him, the more I’m convinced, that’s him,” said Carson Cowles, 56, in a phone interview.
However, a spokesman for the Charleston PD has said that a suspect has been identified but has not been confirmed. A spokeswoman for Charleston County said the suspect would be identified by the police department on Twitter imminently.
Suspect in #Charleston shooting identified as 21 yr old Dylann Roof. If you know his whereabouts, call 1-800-CALL-FBI pic.twitter.com/EmFL5gLMCL
It is confirmed through open source reports that the subject Dylann Storm Roof is from Lexington County. Call... http://t.co/7QEstJ1lsk
Updated at 10.24am ET
10.00am ET15:0010.00am ET15:00
A DoJ spokesperson confirmed to the Guardian that a federal investigation is under way:A DoJ spokesperson confirmed to the Guardian that a federal investigation is under way:
“The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the FBI, and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina are opening a hate crime investigation into the shooting that took place at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. The investigation is parallel to and cooperative with the state’s investigation.”“The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the FBI, and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina are opening a hate crime investigation into the shooting that took place at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. The investigation is parallel to and cooperative with the state’s investigation.”
9.57am ET14:579.57am ET14:57
Information about the alleged suspect is circulating on social media. We will not be publishing unconfirmed details on the suspect’s identity.Information about the alleged suspect is circulating on social media. We will not be publishing unconfirmed details on the suspect’s identity.
9.49am ET14:499.49am ET14:49
Deanna Pan of the Charleston Post & Courier points out that with nine dead, this would be the deadliest mass shooting at a house of worship in the US since 1982 (per Mother Jones’ data on mass shootings).Deanna Pan of the Charleston Post & Courier points out that with nine dead, this would be the deadliest mass shooting at a house of worship in the US since 1982 (per Mother Jones’ data on mass shootings).
In 2012, a shooting at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin killed seven people and injured three.In 2012, a shooting at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin killed seven people and injured three.
9.41am ET14:419.41am ET14:41
South Carolina House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford on his longtime friend Clementa Pinckney who was killed during the shooting:South Carolina House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford on his longtime friend Clementa Pinckney who was killed during the shooting:
Senator Pinckney was my friend for over 20 years. I’m speechless, heartbroken and angry. God grant his family some peace right now.Senator Pinckney was my friend for over 20 years. I’m speechless, heartbroken and angry. God grant his family some peace right now.
9.34am ET14:349.34am ET14:34
Rev Al Sharpton – who will reportedly be leading a prayer vigil for at noon in Charleston – has expressed “shock and outrage” at the killings, in a statement issued through his National Action Network (full text):Rev Al Sharpton – who will reportedly be leading a prayer vigil for at noon in Charleston – has expressed “shock and outrage” at the killings, in a statement issued through his National Action Network (full text):
What has our society come to when people in a prayer meeting in the sacred halls of a church can be shot in what is deemed a possible hate crime?What has our society come to when people in a prayer meeting in the sacred halls of a church can be shot in what is deemed a possible hate crime?
The Pastor of the church, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, worked closely with our National Action Network Chapter leader and our Vice President of Religious Affairs, Rev. Nelson Rivers. It is chilling to me that just over two months ago while I was in North Charleston over the police shooting of Walter Scott, I’m reminded that Rev. Pinckney was among the clergy who stood with me at that occasion and now he has fallen victim to senseless violence.The Pastor of the church, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, worked closely with our National Action Network Chapter leader and our Vice President of Religious Affairs, Rev. Nelson Rivers. It is chilling to me that just over two months ago while I was in North Charleston over the police shooting of Walter Scott, I’m reminded that Rev. Pinckney was among the clergy who stood with me at that occasion and now he has fallen victim to senseless violence.
We must do what we can to apprehend the killer and we must support the families involved in this tragedy. Demagoguery, increasing tension, and talk of violence will only make a mockery of what we face.”We must do what we can to apprehend the killer and we must support the families involved in this tragedy. Demagoguery, increasing tension, and talk of violence will only make a mockery of what we face.”
9.21am ET14:219.21am ET14:21
SummarySummary
Hello. Here’s an updated summary of what we know so far:Hello. Here’s an updated summary of what we know so far:
For earlier updates, here is our previous live blog, now closed.For earlier updates, here is our previous live blog, now closed.
Updated at 9.58am ETUpdated at 9.58am ET