WATCH: Chief Mullen said "this is the worst night of my career." http://t.co/dWxakaPTgA #CharlestonShooting #chsnews pic.twitter.com/ergxY4MPDq
— WCBD (@WCBD) June 18, 2015
A white gunman killed nine people during a prayer meeting at one of Charleston’s oldest and best-known black churches Wednesday night in one of the worst mass shootings in South Carolina history.
Heavily armed law enforcement officers scoured the area into the morning for the man responsible for the carnage inside Emanuel AME Church at 110 Calhoun St. At least one person was said to have survived the rampage.
Police revealed no motive for the 9 p.m. attack, which was reportedly carried out by a young white man. Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said, “I do believe this was a hate crime.”
Mayor Joe Riley called the shooting “a most unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy.”
Update: the best way to try to keep up with this story is to follow the Twitter Hashtag #charlestonshooting
Just saw this news when I logged in this a.m. after being offline since yesterday afternoon. Praying Kendall for you, +Mark and all SC clergy as you respond and reach out to all those affected by this tragedy.
Praying for Charleston this morning. The headline I saw said “unfathomable,” and that’s my feeling.
May God receive the souls of the dead and comfort the living. May the police very rapidly find and arrest the shooter without any further deaths.
Utterly senseless – horrific. At our parish, it isn’t public knowledge, but several folks (with appropriate training) carry concealed weapons at every service. I gather that many churches have official security teams. Does DioSC have a policy on weapons in churches?
Praying for all Charleston, especially all those affected by this tragedy, and the families of those who lost their lives. I pray for those who work and provide solace.
Prayers for the two survivors, the families and friends of those who have died and for and all affected by this tragedy especially those in the emergency services dealing with the aftermath.