Nine killed at church shooting in SC.

[Valigarmander]

Police believe the murder was racially motivated.

A white gunman opened fire Wednesday evening at a historic black church in downtown Charleston, S.C., before fleeing, the police said, and nine people were killed.

The Charleston Police Department said the shooting occurred at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church about 9 p.m.

Officials did not release information about possible victims. Chief Greg Mullen said the police believed it was a hate crime.

The police described the gunman as a clean-shaven white man about 21 years old who was wearing a gray sweatshirt, bluejeans and Timberland boots.

Around 10:45 p.m., police officers at the scene drew their weapons and later escorted a man in handcuffs, who appeared to match that description. But officials said later that they were still searching for the gunman.

Reporters said families of the possible victims were arriving at the scene.

A reporter at the scene late Wednesday said the police pushed back members of the news media after receiving a bomb threat.

Helicopters with searchlights circled overhead, and a group of pastors knelt and prayed across the street.

“The question is, ‘Why God?’,” a man wearing a shirt bearing the name of the Empowerment Missionary Baptist Church said during the prayer.

The church is one of the nation’s oldest black churches. The current pastor, the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, is also a state senator. It was not clear if he was at the church at the time of the shooting. The Gothic Revival-style church was built in 1891 and is considered a historically significant building, according to the National Park Service.

The congregation was formed after black members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the city broke away “over disputed burial ground,” according to the website of the National Park Service. In 1822, one of the church’s co-founders, Denmark Vesey, tried to foment a slave rebellion in Charleston, the church’s website says. The plot was foiled by authorities and 35 people were executed, including Mr. Vesey.

The church houses the oldest black congregation south of Baltimore, the Park Service said.

Gov. Nikki R. Haley said in a statement that she and her family are praying for the victims.

“While we do not yet know all of the details, we do know that we’ll never understand what motivates anyone to enter one of our places of worship and take the life of another,” the governor said. “Please join us in lifting up the victims and their families with our love and prayers.”

Late Wednesday, the campaign staff of Jeb Bush, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president, said he was canceling appearances planned for Thursday in Charleston because of the shooting.

[Sargon The Grape]

I have a lot of things to say, but I think I'll go with the not-dickish one: WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS SHIT!?

[Shiranu]

"Not a terrorist"

[Munch]

"Not a terrorist"

Of course not, he's white, no such thing as a white terrorist right?

Just imagine the media storm if he was brown skinned or in a headscarf.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Tim McVeigh.

[Munch]

Tim McVeigh.

Naaaah, he wasn't a white terrorist, he was just a very pale skinned terrorist.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Naaaah, he wasn't a white terrorist, he was just a very pale skinned terrorist.

Charles Whitman.

[Munch]

Charles Whitman.

He was secretly an Asian man posing as a white American. There's no such thing as white American terrorists ^^

[Gawdzilla Sama]

He was secretly an Asian man posing as a white American. There's no such thing as white American terrorists ^^

George W. Bush.

[Munch]

George W. Bush.

.. Ok, you got me there.

[Mike Cl]

Ahhhhh.........................shit or dear.................I hate this thought that keeps bubbling up in my brain.................no matter how much I try to keep it away or think of something else.   Please, somebody, everybody, tell me I'm bat-shit crazy!  That I am over reacting.  That I'm too stupid to live. 


Race war????????????????

[AllPurposeAtheist]

I hope no race wars jump off here in South Carolina. . I'm in Columbia and not really in the mood to see this nice neighborhood go up in flames. .It's about the most racially integrated place I've ever lived and most people don't even notice it unless they're from the lily white neighborhoods and move here expecting some white flight enclave and then it's WOOPS!

[aitm]

“I have to do it,” the gunman was quoted as saying. “You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go.”

Holy whackadoodle! That there is some kind nut.

[Mike Cl]

Holy whackadoodle! That there is some kind nut.

I think it is downright thoughtful that Roof's daddy gave him a .45 pistol for his birthday.  Guns don't kill people, people do.

[aitm]

I think it is downright thoughtful that Roof's daddy gave him a .45 pistol for his birthday.  Guns don't kill people, people do.

Don't be silly, this is god speaking for letting deh gays get married and all.