Police: 9 Dead in Charleston Church Shooting

Summary

The transcript recounts a tragic shooting incident at a church on Calhon Street, where nine victims were confirmed dead. The attack occurred during a Wednesday evening prayer service, leaving the community in shock. Authorities are searching for a 21-year-old white male with sandy blonde hair, who is considered extremely dangerous. The event is believed to be a hate crime, and the FBI is involved due to the scope of the investigation. The brutal attack has left the community reeling, as an act of violence took place during a peaceful gathering of worshipers.

Takeaways

• 😀 A shooting occurred at a church on Calhoun Street at 9:05 PM this evening.
• 😀 Upon arrival, officers found multiple victims inside the church.
• 😀 Eight victims were confirmed deceased at the scene, and two others were transported to a trauma center.
• 😀 One of the transported victims later died, bringing the total number of victims to nine.
• 😀 The police are searching for a white male, approximately 21 years old, with sandy blonde hair, who is considered extremely dangerous.
• 😀 The shooting took place during a Wednesday evening prayer service, an act described as incomprehensible and intolerable.
• 😀 The incident is believed to be a hate crime.
• 😀 The FBI is involved in the investigation, both due to the nature of the crime and the scale of the investigation.
• 😀 The FBI's presence is also related to their partnership with local authorities in investigating the suspect.
• 😀 The investigation continues, with the FBI assisting in tracking down the suspect responsible for the tragic crime.

Q & A

What happened at the church on Calhon Street this evening?

A shooting occurred at the church on Calhon Street, where multiple victims were found inside. Some individuals were also transported to the MUSC Emergency Trauma Center.

How many victims were involved in the shooting?

There were nine victims in total. Eight were found deceased at the church, and one died after being transported to the MUSC Trauma Center.

What is the description of the suspect?

The suspect is a white male, approximately 21 years old, with sandy blonde hair.

Why is the suspect considered extremely dangerous?

The suspect is considered extremely dangerous due to the violent nature of the crime, where an individual went into a church during a prayer meeting and opened fire on the victims.

Why was the FBI involved in the investigation?

The FBI is involved in the investigation because of the size and scope of the case. They are also involved due to the potential classification of the incident as a hate crime.

Is this incident being investigated as a hate crime?

Yes, the incident will be investigated as a hate crime, although the FBI would be involved regardless due to the scale of the investigation.

What makes this crime particularly shocking or inexplicable?

The crime is considered inexplicable and intolerable because it occurred during a church service, where people were praying and worshiping God, making the attack particularly heinous.

What were the victims doing at the church when the shooting took place?

The victims were gathered at the church for a prayer meeting on a Wednesday evening.

What is the current status of the investigation?

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities searching for the suspect and gathering evidence. The FBI is assisting with the investigation.

What role does the FBI play in this investigation?

The FBI is acting as a partner to local law enforcement, providing support due to the magnitude of the case and the possibility of a hate crime classification.