Charleston officials speak about deadly church shooting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) — The FBI, the Charleston mayor and other officials will speak about the deadly shooting in Charleston South Carolina that left nine dead.

The suspect Dylann Roof was taken into custody just after 11 a.m. Thursday.

First reported by The Post and Courier, Roof currently is out on bond in connection to recent arrests on drug and trespassing charges.

It is believed Roof attended a Bible study meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, before opening fire on the conference room, killing six women and three men. The identities of the victims have yet to be released, however multiple outlets have confirmed the church’s pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who also was a state Senator, is among the deceased.

South Carolina, Governor Nikki Haley during the press conference choked back tears as she spoke about the events of the day.

Chief Greg Mullen says 21-year-old Dylann Storm Roof was arrested Thursday during a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina. He says Roof was cooperative with the officer who stopped him. Local police in Shelby made the arrest. Mullen says Roof was in the car when arrested.

Mullen says a citizen tip led police to Roof’s car.

Mullen also says officials believe Roof acted alone.

Mullen said previously that Roof stayed at a prayer meeting for nearly an hour on Wednesday night before he opened fire, killing three males and six females at the church in Charleston, S.C. Among the dead was state Sen. Clementa Pinckney. Names of the other victims haven’t been released. Officials have said they are waiting until families are notified.