It has been a source of strength in this community for so long and that strength is needed today. Our thoughts primarily with those who were killed here but we do have new information about the shooter. 21yearold dylann roof is back in charleston right now. Hes scheduled to make a Court Appearance this afternoon. Police say he was the person who opened fire inside this church wednesday night killing nine people in a bible study class. He was spotted by a woman in shelby, North Carolina, a fourhour drive from here. He had a gun in his possession when he was taken into custody. Its not clear whether thats the same gun that was used in the church shooting. Family members of his dispute reports that his father bought him a. 45 caliber handgun for his birthday. There was other reports he was given money and bought the gun himself. Were learning about the final moments inside the bible study class as nine people were killed. The young man actually sat in the class for up to an hour before he
South carolina. [ applause ] we have shown the world how we as a group of people can come together and pray and work out things that needs to be worked out to make our community and our state a better place. [ applause ] hallelujah now im reminded that there are other challenges that faces us. It does not go unnoticed. It does not mean that we are not aware of the problems that many of us face not only in america but right here in South Carolina and charleston. But, there is a time and place for everything. Amen and now its a time for us to focus on the nine families. [ applause ] oh i know im right [ applause ] because at this time we need to be in solidarity and praying for families and our communities around this state and particularly in charleston. So i want to say to the citizens of charleston and visitors thank you for being whom god has called you to be. Thank you for your flowers out front. Thank you for the cards and the emails and all of the acts of kindness. I want you to k
Where he landed a few hours ago. Now, as you know we dont show shooting suspects on this program. We dont believe they should get any recognition. But because of this alleged hate crime, which many were referring to as an act of domestic terrorism, because theyre going and still looking, we are going to show his face and use his name but sparingly on the program tonight. There is a lot of information to get to. A wednesday night bible study erupts in gunshots. The shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church one of the oldest in the south and once part of the underground railroad. At the scene, eight are pronounced dead, six females two males. Another man dies later in the hopt. You will need at least four medic units. The gunman manages to evade officers in a forensic man hunt ensues. The charles ton Police Department releases this photo of a young man entering the church on wednesday evening. We have investigators who are out tracking leads that are coming in. We will conti
Reporter Amazing Police work and community as well. They got the picture out quickly. They had his photo and vehicle description. What that led to was a woman in north carolina, four hours away. Shes a part time florist. She was driving down the road, saw what she thought was the suspects car. She decided to follow that vehicle, called and talked to a friend and said i believe this is the car. Eventually they called police pretty quickly there. Police pulled over the vehicle. Sure enough it was the 21yearold suspect is. Here is what the florist had to say. Seen the white tag on the front of of the car. That was another picture they showed on the news an emblem with a black circle. I said oh lord. I got off the exit and called todd and i said i think i just passed the boy that killed the the people in charleston last night. I said i dont know. I dont want to overreact or whatever. I said todd im going back out here to get on 74 to see if i can catch up and get his tag number. I turned a
Smegielski from prospect, connecticut. I should not be here tonight. I dont want to be here tonight. I should be home like so Many Americans watching on tv with my mother as we nominate the first woman to be president of the United States. But my mom was murdered so im here. Im here for the mothers and daughters who are planning weddings so that you get to watch your daughters walk down the aisle. Im here for those lives cut short in a school, in a movie theater, in a church, at work, in their neighborhoods or homes because those voices should never be silenced. Im here alone without my mother while too many politicians cower behind the gun lobby instead of standing with american families. We dont need another charleston or San Bernardino or dallas or countless other acts of everyday gun violence that dont make the headlines. We dont need our teachers and principals going to work in fear. What we need is another mother whos willing to do whats right. Whose bravery can live up in equal