Dylann Roof, suspected of killing nine people at an African-American church in South Carolina, has been caught by police, according to US media
Dylann Roof, suspected of killing nine people at an African-American church in South Carolina, has been caught by police, according to US media reports.
Roof, 21, was earlier named as a suspect in the attack, which left six women and three men dead.
FBI has confirmed the suspect in Charleston AME church shooting identified as Dylann Roof, 21, of Lexington County. pic.twitter.com/EEzWlmOOCR
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) junio 18, 2015
The deaths included that of Reverand Clementa Pinckney.
He was the pastor of the targeted Emanuel African Methodist Church and also a state senator.
Police Chief Gregory Mullen said he believes the shooting was a hate crime.
Authorities have not yet identified the victims.
“The only reason someone could walk in a church and shoot people praying is that of hate, the only reason… That is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine. And we would bring that person to justice as soon as possible,” said the Mayor of Charleston, Joseph P. Riley Jr.
The church is known to have one of the largest and oldest black congregations in the region.
Prayers have been said near the site of the shooting, while helicopters circle overhead and dozens of law enforcement officers, several equipped with military-style rifles, carry out ground searches.