Source: Surveillance Video Image released by Charleston P.D. / Charleston Police Dept-Twitter
UPDATED (12:15 PM) — The suspect in the Charleston, South Carolina church massacre has been caught by police, according to various media outlets in South Carolina. Police identified the suspect as Dylann Storm Roof, 21, of Columbia, South Carolina. Law enforcement officials say Roof was captured in Shelby, North Carolina. That’s roughly three hours away from the crime scene. Roof was arrested back in March of this year on drug charges and again in April on trespassing charges. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the Justice Department is opening a hate crime investigation into this case and calls it “heartbreaking and deeply tragic.” President Obama is scheduled to speak shortly. Watch Live below:
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ORIGINAL STORY:
Police in Charleston, South Carolina have released this image, seen above, of the suspect they believe is the shooter in a deadly rampage at a historic black church Emanuel AME Church that left nine people who were attending bible study Wednesday night dead. This image of the unknown suspect was taken from a security camera. Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen says the suspect was there in the meeting staying with them for about an hour before opening fire. Among the dead is Emanuel AME’s pastor, State Senator Clementa Pinckney and his sister. Media reports say a total of three males and six females lost their lives but the names of the victims won’t be released until after all families have been properly notified. A statewide manhunt for the shooter is underway by police with the FBI and ATF assisting. They believe this was a hate crime. They’re describing the perpetrator as a white male in his early 20’s, wearing a gray sweatshirt, jeans and boots.
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