Police are looking for a young, white man, slender, bowl cut hair, approximately 21 years-old, wearing a gray sweatshirt (no hood/ie but with a white t-shirt beneath it), blue jeans and Timberland boots.
Around 9 p.m. last night, the suspect walked into the middle of bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and began firing-killing three males and six females.
Reportedly, according a local NAACP chapter official, he told the woman he left alive, he was letting her live so she could live to tell the world about what had just happened.
Still at large, police are said the gunman is wearing a “distinctive” sweatshirt and driving a small black sedan with a “distinctive” license plate.
Police aren’t releasing any specifics about the year, make and model of the car or what these “distinctions” are but encourage you to call 1-800-Call-FBI if you see “a” black sedan, with “distinctive” license plate and the man as seen on the surveillance photo.
Although all victims have not been identified, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, a Democratic member of the state senate and the church’s pastor, was reportedly among the victims. You can donate to the church directly by clicking here. Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is a 150-year-old landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Police Chief Greg Mullen described the shooting as a “hate crime.”
Anytime there is a tragedy, apparent act of terrorism, or massacre like such, religion, race, and political stances are always considered, first.
States that have highest number of “active” hate groups (as of 2014):
- California (57)
- Florida (50)
- New York (44)
- New Jersey (40)
- Pennsylvania (38)
- Texas (36)
- Tennessee (29)
- Georgia (28)
- Ohio (27)
What hate ideologies attract the most followers? (The SPLC lists these ideologies as spawning the highest number of active hate groups):
- KKK (72)
- Neo-Nazi (142)
- White Nationalist (115)
- Racist Skinhead (119)
- Christian Identity (21)
- Neo-Confederate (37)
- Black Separatist (113)
- General Hate (165)
Hate hot lines
If you suspect someone you know is involved in a hate crime or presents a threat of committing such an offense, call these numbers:
Hate Crime National Hotline (USA): 206-350-HATE (4283).
Hate Crimes Hotline at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: 1-800-552-6843
