CCTV image shows prime suspect in ‘hate crime’ killing of 9 in Charleston

Police have released the first images of the suspect being hunted after nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. Described as armed and dangerous, he is a young white male, aged 21 to 25, of slender build and around 5ft 9ins tall. He was seen leaving the scene of the massacre in a black four-door sedan. Police said there was “no reason to believe” the gunman was not still in the Charleston area. The shooting happened at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal church in downtown Charleston at around 9pm (local time) on Wednesday night.

This is an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy in this most historic church, an evil and hateful person took the lives of citizens who had come to worship and pray together.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley

Police said eight people had died at the scene and a ninth victim died later in hospital. Three men and six women are so far confirmed dead. A tenth victim is being treated in hospital. Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen confirmed the shooting was being investigated as a hate crime. He vowed to “put all effort, all resources and all of our energy into finding this individual who committed this crime tonight. This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience.” The gunman reportedly told a survivor he was letting her live so she could tell everyone else what happened, according to local reports.

It is senseless, it is unfathomable that somebody in today’s society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives.

Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen

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