Nine people were shot, some fatally, inside one of Charleston’s oldest and most well known black churches tonight. A bomb threat complicated the investigation and prompted police to ask nearby residents to evacuate. Reporters and other onlookers huddled at the scene awaiting details on what could prove to be one of the worst mass shootings in South Carolina history.
Mayor Joe Riley confirmed there were fatalities.
“We’re still gathering information so it’s not the time yet for details,” he said. “I will say that 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.”
Riley said city police were being assisted by sheriff’s deputies, the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI.
Police and emergency vehicles swarmed several blocks surrounding Henrietta and Calhoun streets, just east of Marion Square. Barricades blocked off several streets to traffic, and police asked nearby residents to leave their homes.
The shooting occurred around 9 p.m. inside Emanuel AME Church at 110 Calhoun St. Police were seen exiting the 19th century church, and their presence extended blocks beyond the site.
Police were still looking for the gunman late Wednesday, and helicopters are hovering above. Police spokesman Charles Francis described the suspect as a 21-year-old white male in a gray sweatshirt/hoodie and jeans with Timberland boots. He has a slender build.
There are victims involved, but police have not said how many. No deaths have yet been reported. A chaplain is on the scene.
State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, said he has been talking with Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon and said, “It’s my understanding that there are some very serious injuries and possibly deaths.”
Kimpson is the Democratic colleague of Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who is the church’s pastor and was believed to be inside during the shooting. Kimpson said he is praying for Pinckney and for “our Mother Emanuel AME church,” as it’s affectionately called by many parishioners. It is the South’s oldest black congregation south of Baltimore.
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