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Charleston church shooting: suspect Dylann Roof in custody as community holds vigils Charleston church shooting: suspect Dylann Roof in custody as community holds vigils
(7 months later)
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Closing summaryClosing summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
I’m winding down this live blog now, but you can find all our ongoing coverage of the Charleston shooting here.I’m winding down this live blog now, but you can find all our ongoing coverage of the Charleston shooting here.
Here is a round-up of the latest developments in this unfolding story:Here is a round-up of the latest developments in this unfolding story:
I’m probably going to push myself harder in everything I do. Every time I do something good I’ll probably give her a little wink or something, in the sky.I’m probably going to push myself harder in everything I do. Every time I do something good I’ll probably give her a little wink or something, in the sky.
Love is always stronger than hate. We just love the way my mom did and the hate won’t be anywhere close to what the love is.Love is always stronger than hate. We just love the way my mom did and the hate won’t be anywhere close to what the love is.
That’s all from this live blog today. Thank you for reading. The rest of our coverage continues here.That’s all from this live blog today. Thank you for reading. The rest of our coverage continues here.
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The Daily Show has now published the full version of Jon Stewart’s opening monologue on Charleston and you can watch it here.The Daily Show has now published the full version of Jon Stewart’s opening monologue on Charleston and you can watch it here.
(For a read-only version, try here.)(For a read-only version, try here.)
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Guardian reporters in Charleston have talked to some of those who have been supporting relatives of the victims.Guardian reporters in Charleston have talked to some of those who have been supporting relatives of the victims.
By the early hours of Thursday morning, relatives had gathered at the Embassy Suites hotel, close to Emanuel church.By the early hours of Thursday morning, relatives had gathered at the Embassy Suites hotel, close to Emanuel church.
“Raw emotion was out,” said Tamika Myers, who works for Blind Justice, a local group that assists grieving relatives of shooting victims. “People were crying. Some were passing out.”“Raw emotion was out,” said Tamika Myers, who works for Blind Justice, a local group that assists grieving relatives of shooting victims. “People were crying. Some were passing out.”
The identifies of only three victims were relayed to families that night, Myers said. She said that by 5am the coroner, Rae H Wooten, had to explain why identification was proving so difficult.The identifies of only three victims were relayed to families that night, Myers said. She said that by 5am the coroner, Rae H Wooten, had to explain why identification was proving so difficult.
“What happened in there was brutal,” Myers said. “It was gruesome.”“What happened in there was brutal,” Myers said. “It was gruesome.”
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The image of suspected killer Dylann Roof in a jacket emblazoned with the flags of two racist states – Rhodesia and apartheid-era South Africa – ties him to those who have made the emblems a symbol of so-called white resistance.The image of suspected killer Dylann Roof in a jacket emblazoned with the flags of two racist states – Rhodesia and apartheid-era South Africa – ties him to those who have made the emblems a symbol of so-called white resistance.
That's the flag of apartheid-era South Africa on Dylann Roof's jacket pic.twitter.com/ex4cG15sVAThat's the flag of apartheid-era South Africa on Dylann Roof's jacket pic.twitter.com/ex4cG15sVA
My colleague Chris McGreal has this analysis of how the defunct flags have found new life among America’s racists:My colleague Chris McGreal has this analysis of how the defunct flags have found new life among America’s racists:
The two flags have become popular among groups such as the Aryan Nation, which have embraced a myth of the genocide of whites in southern Africa pushed by South Africans unhappy with their country’s liberation from racist domination …The two flags have become popular among groups such as the Aryan Nation, which have embraced a myth of the genocide of whites in southern Africa pushed by South Africans unhappy with their country’s liberation from racist domination …
They feel no shame for the crimes of apartheid and so have no embarrassment about sporting the old South African flag or that of the former republic of Rhodesia, which existed for just 15 years after its white minority leaders unilaterally declared independence from Britain in 1965 rather than be decolonised under a government run by the black majority.They feel no shame for the crimes of apartheid and so have no embarrassment about sporting the old South African flag or that of the former republic of Rhodesia, which existed for just 15 years after its white minority leaders unilaterally declared independence from Britain in 1965 rather than be decolonised under a government run by the black majority.
Related: Charleston shootings: the apartheid era flags that have found new life with America's racists
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Walter Jackson – whose mother, Susie Jackson, was, at 87, the oldest of the shooting victims – has told the Guardian that she rarely missed a Sunday service and was an integral part of the church’s gospel choir.Walter Jackson – whose mother, Susie Jackson, was, at 87, the oldest of the shooting victims – has told the Guardian that she rarely missed a Sunday service and was an integral part of the church’s gospel choir.
Not so long ago, she won first prize in the annual church fair for her hot deviled crab cakes. She greatly enjoyed the prize, Jackson said – two days at the Charleston Hayatt.Not so long ago, she won first prize in the annual church fair for her hot deviled crab cakes. She greatly enjoyed the prize, Jackson said – two days at the Charleston Hayatt.
Walter Jackson travelled from Cleveland, where he now lives, to rejoin his grieving family in Charleston. He told the Guardian:Walter Jackson travelled from Cleveland, where he now lives, to rejoin his grieving family in Charleston. He told the Guardian:
This is just senseless. To kill innocent people like that. It’s hard on all of us.This is just senseless. To kill innocent people like that. It’s hard on all of us.
My mother was always there for us – she was always the one people would turn to when they had a problem.My mother was always there for us – she was always the one people would turn to when they had a problem.
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My colleagues Ed Pilkington, Paul Lewis and Oliver Laughland are in Charleston and have been piecing together the events of Wednesday that culminated in the slaying of nine people in their church.My colleagues Ed Pilkington, Paul Lewis and Oliver Laughland are in Charleston and have been piecing together the events of Wednesday that culminated in the slaying of nine people in their church.
Here is a portion of their report:Here is a portion of their report:
Dylann Storm Roof walked up the 23 slate grey steps that lead up to the main entrance of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church and asked for the pastor. It was Wednesday, and that meant Bible study night.Dylann Storm Roof walked up the 23 slate grey steps that lead up to the main entrance of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church and asked for the pastor. It was Wednesday, and that meant Bible study night.
No one, it seemed, thought to turn the young man away. The church in downtown Charleston had a history of opening its doors to strangers that stretched back decades.No one, it seemed, thought to turn the young man away. The church in downtown Charleston had a history of opening its doors to strangers that stretched back decades.
Inside, a dozen regular members of the church were gathered around a table in a meeting room in the basement. Having asked for the pastor, Roof sat down right next to him.Inside, a dozen regular members of the church were gathered around a table in a meeting room in the basement. Having asked for the pastor, Roof sat down right next to him.
Before the shooting started, Roof’s youngest victim, 26-year-old student Tywanza Sanders, released a Snapchat video to a friend. The video is grainy and shaky, showing only the briefest glimpse of the scene. The bible group is seen sitting around the table in a large, wood-panelled room that appeared to be in the church’s basement. Books and papers were on the table, and the group were sat on fold-up chairs.Before the shooting started, Roof’s youngest victim, 26-year-old student Tywanza Sanders, released a Snapchat video to a friend. The video is grainy and shaky, showing only the briefest glimpse of the scene. The bible group is seen sitting around the table in a large, wood-panelled room that appeared to be in the church’s basement. Books and papers were on the table, and the group were sat on fold-up chairs.
"This is chilling to see." @donlemon shares excl new video of bible group with shooter before killings. http://t.co/wX9rFe5gry"This is chilling to see." @donlemon shares excl new video of bible group with shooter before killings. http://t.co/wX9rFe5gry
One still image from the video shows Rev Clementa Pinckney, who also held a position as a South Carolina state senator, in a green shirt, gesturing to the others and possibly smiling. At least three other unidentified black people are in the frame. At the far side of the table was Roof, partially eclipsed by his soon-to-be victims.One still image from the video shows Rev Clementa Pinckney, who also held a position as a South Carolina state senator, in a green shirt, gesturing to the others and possibly smiling. At least three other unidentified black people are in the frame. At the far side of the table was Roof, partially eclipsed by his soon-to-be victims.
So far only Sanders’ seconds-long Snapchat, supplemented by an equally sketchy indirect account given by one of the three survivors, have surfaced to provide clues to what happened inside that room. What we do know is that for about an hour Roof sat quietly among the worshippers as they studied the Bible.So far only Sanders’ seconds-long Snapchat, supplemented by an equally sketchy indirect account given by one of the three survivors, have surfaced to provide clues to what happened inside that room. What we do know is that for about an hour Roof sat quietly among the worshippers as they studied the Bible.
Both local police and the FBI have declined to provide details about what happened next.Both local police and the FBI have declined to provide details about what happened next.
However Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of Pinckney, relayed a harrowing account she said was provided to her by a woman survivor.However Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of Pinckney, relayed a harrowing account she said was provided to her by a woman survivor.
Johnson told NBC that Roof made his move as the meeting was coming to an end. “At the conclusion of the bible study, from what I understand, they just start hearing loud noises ringing out. The suspect had already wounded a couple of individuals, including my cousin.”Johnson told NBC that Roof made his move as the meeting was coming to an end. “At the conclusion of the bible study, from what I understand, they just start hearing loud noises ringing out. The suspect had already wounded a couple of individuals, including my cousin.”
Johnson said the survivor told her that Roof reloaded his weapon five times and engaged in conversation with his victims as they pleaded with him to stop.Johnson said the survivor told her that Roof reloaded his weapon five times and engaged in conversation with his victims as they pleaded with him to stop.
The survivor’s son, who was also at the meeting, “was trying to talk him out of doing that act of killing people”, Johnson said.The survivor’s son, who was also at the meeting, “was trying to talk him out of doing that act of killing people”, Johnson said.
She added that Roof replied: “I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go.”She added that Roof replied: “I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go.”
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Cynthia Taylor, the niece of Susie Jackson who was killed at the Emanuel church, has been talking to Associated Press.Cynthia Taylor, the niece of Susie Jackson who was killed at the Emanuel church, has been talking to Associated Press.
She says her aunt was a longtime member of the church and sang in the choir.She says her aunt was a longtime member of the church and sang in the choir.
Taylor also told AP that she had spoken to a friend, Felecia Sanders, who was at the church and survived the shooting.Taylor also told AP that she had spoken to a friend, Felecia Sanders, who was at the church and survived the shooting.
Sanders reportedly played dead to avoid the killer, lying on top of her granddaughter to – successfully – protect her.Sanders reportedly played dead to avoid the killer, lying on top of her granddaughter to – successfully – protect her.
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Here is a clip of Jon Stewart’s opening monologue from Thursday night’s Daily Show, in which he labelled the Emanuel church massacre a terrorist attack and predicted nothing would be done to change the culture that bred it.Here is a clip of Jon Stewart’s opening monologue from Thursday night’s Daily Show, in which he labelled the Emanuel church massacre a terrorist attack and predicted nothing would be done to change the culture that bred it.
You can read more of his words here.You can read more of his words here.
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More information emerges, this time via ABC News, that people close to Dylann Roof had concerns about his views and behaviour.More information emerges, this time via ABC News, that people close to Dylann Roof had concerns about his views and behaviour.
Dalton Tyler, described by ABC News as Roof’s roommate, reportedly told the channel Roof had been “planning something like that for six months”:Dalton Tyler, described by ABC News as Roof’s roommate, reportedly told the channel Roof had been “planning something like that for six months”:
He was big into segregation and other stuff. He said he wanted to start a civil war.He was big into segregation and other stuff. He said he wanted to start a civil war.
He said he was going to do something like that and then kill himself.He said he was going to do something like that and then kill himself.
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Friday’s Charleston Post and Courier front page reflects the sombre tone of today’s memorials:Friday’s Charleston Post and Courier front page reflects the sombre tone of today’s memorials:
"The unspeakable happened in our city." Friday's front page: #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/0tkkEqvGnB"The unspeakable happened in our city." Friday's front page: #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/0tkkEqvGnB
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Jon Stewart's Daily Show monologueJon Stewart's Daily Show monologue
The Daily Show has opened tonight with a powerful monologue from host Jon Stewart slamming the deaths in Charleston and the culture that seeks to deny that racism is behind such attacks.The Daily Show has opened tonight with a powerful monologue from host Jon Stewart slamming the deaths in Charleston and the culture that seeks to deny that racism is behind such attacks.
Prior to introducing his guest – Nobel peace prize-winner Malala Yousafzai – Stewart said his show would contain no jokes tonight in the wake of the Charleston massacre.Prior to introducing his guest – Nobel peace prize-winner Malala Yousafzai – Stewart said his show would contain no jokes tonight in the wake of the Charleston massacre.
This is a lengthy excerpt from his monologue, but this is something that bears reading at length:This is a lengthy excerpt from his monologue, but this is something that bears reading at length:
I have one job … but I didn’t do my job today. I’ve got nothing for you … because of what happened in South Carolina.I have one job … but I didn’t do my job today. I’ve got nothing for you … because of what happened in South Carolina.
I have nothing other than just sadness that once again we have to peer into the abyss of the depraved violence that we do to each other, and the nexus of a just gaping racial wound that will not heal but we pretend doesn’t exist.I have nothing other than just sadness that once again we have to peer into the abyss of the depraved violence that we do to each other, and the nexus of a just gaping racial wound that will not heal but we pretend doesn’t exist.
I’m confident, though, that by acknowledging it, by staring into that and seeing it for what it is, we still won’t do jackshit.I’m confident, though, that by acknowledging it, by staring into that and seeing it for what it is, we still won’t do jackshit.
Yeah. That’s us.Yeah. That’s us.
That’s the part that blows my mind. I don’t want to get into the political argument of the guns … What blows my mind is the disparity of response between when we think people that are foreign are going to kill us and us killing ourselves.That’s the part that blows my mind. I don’t want to get into the political argument of the guns … What blows my mind is the disparity of response between when we think people that are foreign are going to kill us and us killing ourselves.
If this had been what we thought was Islamic terrorism … we invaded two countries and spent trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives, and now fly unmanned death machines over, like, five or six different countries. All to keep Americans safe. We’ve got to do whatever we can. We’ll torture people …If this had been what we thought was Islamic terrorism … we invaded two countries and spent trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives, and now fly unmanned death machines over, like, five or six different countries. All to keep Americans safe. We’ve got to do whatever we can. We’ll torture people …
Nine people. Shot in a church. What about that? Eh. What are you gonna do? Crazy is as crazy is, right?Nine people. Shot in a church. What about that? Eh. What are you gonna do? Crazy is as crazy is, right?
That’s the part that I cannot for the life of me wrap my head around.That’s the part that I cannot for the life of me wrap my head around.
And you know it. You know that it’s going to go down the same path: ‘it’s a terrible tragedy’. They’re already using the nuanced language of lack of effort for this.And you know it. You know that it’s going to go down the same path: ‘it’s a terrible tragedy’. They’re already using the nuanced language of lack of effort for this.
This is a terrorist attack. This is a violent attack on the Emanuel church in South Carolina, which is a symbol for the black community …This is a terrorist attack. This is a violent attack on the Emanuel church in South Carolina, which is a symbol for the black community …
To pretend that – I heard someone on the news say, a tragedy has visited this church … this wasn’t a tornado. This was racist. This was a guy with a Rhodesia badge on his sweater …To pretend that – I heard someone on the news say, a tragedy has visited this church … this wasn’t a tornado. This was racist. This was a guy with a Rhodesia badge on his sweater …
This one is black and white. There’s no nuance here.This one is black and white. There’s no nuance here.
And we’re going to keep pretending: I don’t get it, what happened, there’s one guy lost his mind. We are steeped in that culture in this country and we refuse to recognise it, and I cannot believe how hard people are working to discount it.And we’re going to keep pretending: I don’t get it, what happened, there’s one guy lost his mind. We are steeped in that culture in this country and we refuse to recognise it, and I cannot believe how hard people are working to discount it.
In South Carolina, the roads that black people drive on are named for confederate generals who fought to keep black people from being able to drive freely on that road. That’s insanity. That’s racial wallpaper. You can’t allow that.In South Carolina, the roads that black people drive on are named for confederate generals who fought to keep black people from being able to drive freely on that road. That’s insanity. That’s racial wallpaper. You can’t allow that.
Nine people were shot in a black church by a white guy who hated them, who wanted to start some kind of civil war.Nine people were shot in a black church by a white guy who hated them, who wanted to start some kind of civil war.
The confederate flag flies over South Carolina. And the roads are named for confederate generals. And the white guy’s the one who feels like his country’s being taken away from him.The confederate flag flies over South Carolina. And the roads are named for confederate generals. And the white guy’s the one who feels like his country’s being taken away from him.
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