PA Bill Number: HB335
Title: In inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons.
Description: In inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons. ...
Last Action: Removed from table
Last Action Date: May 1, 2024
Historic Church Targeted By Attempted Mass Murderer In Charleston, SC :: 06/18/2015
Nine people have been confirmed killed and numerous others were injured in a mass shooting at historic Emanuel AME Zion Church in Charleston, South Carolina:
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.”
Rumors are rampant at this time, but all we known for certain is that there are multiple victims (most news outlets are presently claiming nine, though the Charleston Police have not confirmed that figure as of midnight), and of victims, there are a number of fatalities.
We also know that the police are seeking a 21-year-old clean-shaven white male as a possible suspect in the attack.
One man nearby was briefly detained, but was cleared of involvement by authorities.
We’ll update this story as more facts can be confirmed.
Update: Nine people have been confirmed killed in the attack. there are numerous injuries, but police are refusing to state precisely how many. We’ve updated the lede with that information.
As a legal matter, legal concealed carry in a church is an improbability in South Carolina, requiring “express permission” from the “appropriate church official or governing body.”
The information below was not part of the article above! It is compiled from various sources in order to provide additional dimension to the shooting incident that the Mass Media usually does NOT corroborate!
***South Carolina Statute on Carrying Firearms in Churches:
Link: http://www.sled.sc.gov/SCStateGunLaws.aspx?MenuID=CWP
Statute Language:
A CWP does not authorize carrying a firearm:
Into a law enforcement office or facility
Into a detention or correctional facility
Into a courthouse or courtroom
Into a polling place on election day
Into an office or business meeting of a governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special purpose district
Into a school or college athletic event not related to firearms
Into a day care or pre-school facility
Into a place where carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law
Into a church or other established religious sanctuary, except with express permission of the appropriate church official or church governing body
***Church Involvement is Supporting Gun Control:
http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/assault-weapons-ban-endorsements
http://www.ucc.org/ucc-signs-interfaith-call-to
http://www.nixonpeabody.com/linked_media/publications/chicago_BOE_amicus_brief_january_2010.pdf
***Armed Citizen Response to Colorado Church Shooting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Colorado_YWAM_and_New_Life_shootings
***Additional Incident Links:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/us/charleston-south-carolina-shooting/
- Johnson said survivors recounted the man coming into the church, asking for Pinckney and sitting next to him during a prayer meeting for an hour. He started shooting and reloaded five times, she said.
- When a man pleaded with him to stop, the shooter replied, "You rape our women and you're taking over our country. And you have to go," she said.
- Roof was armed with a gun when he was arrested, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. It's not clear if it's the same firearm he allegedly used in the shooting.
- A senior law enforcement source told CNN the suspect's father had recently bought him a .45-caliber gun for his 21st birthday
http://www.wtvy.com/home/headlines/Nine-308102761.html
Criminal Record: Court records show that the suspect in a fatal shooting at a historic black church in South Carolina has one felony drug case pending against him, a past misdemeanor trespassing charge and no other criminal record in the state.
The state and county court records show that 21-year-old Dylann Storm Roof had no adult criminal history in South Carolina until March, when he was arrested in Lexington County on felony drug possession charges. That case is pending. Count records list no attorney to try to reach for comment.
In April, state police say that Roof, of Lexington, was arrested for misdemeanor trespassing in Lexington County. No further details on that charge were immediately available.
http://www.fitsnews.com/2015/06/18/charleston-church-shooting-suspect-identified/
This link has some additional info - including a PDF of arrest claims he was on mind altering drugs
